MADD News:
ALBUQUERQUE — Aug. 26, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) staff and volunteers are teaming up with law enforcement in New Mexico for “Saturation Saturday,” an annual effort to saturate communities with facts, tips, law enforcement patrols and sobriety checkpoints to stop impaired driving.
Saturation Saturday kicks off one of the busiest travel weeks of the year and comes at a time when traffic fatalities are at a 16-year high, with 41% of fatal crashes during Labor Day weekend due to drunk driving. In 2021, the latest year for which data is available, 154 people in New Mexico lost their lives due to drunk driving.
“Since 2018, we have seen a 27% increase in deaths caused by drunk driving and the number rises as we head toward Labor Day weekend,” MADD CEO Stacey Stewart said. “This ‘Saturation Saturday’ and every day, MADD works closely with law enforcement to stop drunk driving, which is a 100% preventable crime.”
From Saturation Saturday through Labor Day, MADD intensifies its work with law enforcement agencies across the country to encourage DUI patrols and support sobriety checkpoints, which reduce drunk driving deaths by up to 20%, according to the U.S. CDC.
These prevention efforts coincide with NHTSA’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. This year’s Saturation Saturday events in New Mexico will include sobriety checkpoints, increased DUI patrols and other high-visibility enforcement efforts aimed at catching those who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol and other drugs. Across the country and in New Mexico, MADD staff and volunteers will share facts and victim stories during law enforcement roll calls and support sobriety checkpoints, providing water for law enforcement officers and handing out materials on the dangers of impaired driving.
“Labor Day celebrates the social and economic achievements of American worker – and also the end of summer! So when you celebrate, have a plan. That plan should include either having a non-drinking driver, or a rideshare service, drive you home. So that you can keep celebrating with your loved ones,” said Bert Parnall, MADD New Mexico advisory board member. “Saturation Saturday is a high-visibility law enforcement push to both stop drunk drivers, and also to publicize to would-be drunk drivers that if they choose to drive, they will be caught.”
Participating Law Enforcement agencies for New Mexico Saturation Saturday 2023 include:
Lea County Sherriff’s Office, NM State Police, Sandoval County Sherriff’s Office, the Town of Bernalillo, Bernalillo County Sherriff’s Department, Taos County Sheriff’s Office, Albuquerque Police Department, Roswell Police Department, Bosque Farms Police Department, Hagerman Police Department, and Rio Rancho Police Department, amongst others. Agencies listed will be hosting either a Sobriety Checkpoint, or a Saturation Patrol, Saturday, Aug. 26.
“Every 79 seconds, someone in this country is killed or injured by drunk driving. In New Mexico, we can and must do better,” Katrina Latka, State Executive Director, MADD said. “You also can make a difference if faced with a situation where someone who’s impaired is trying to drive. Be as non-confrontational as possible, remind them that you care, and give them safe alternatives.”
If you, or someone you love, has been the victim of impaired driving, support is available at no cost 24 hours a day via the MADD Victim Help Line 1-877-MADDHELP (1.877.623.3435) or www.MADD.org.