NMSP NEWS

During the Independence Day holiday, the New Mexico State Police participated in the Combined Accident Reduction Effort (CARE) operation across all roadways within the state.  The goal of the traffic initiative is that a strong law enforcement presence will have a direct effect on the driving behaviors of motorists during the holiday, and thus, reduce the number of crashes and increase motorist safety.

State Police provided an increased patrol presence during this initiative on roadways throughout all State Police districts. Because of the increased volume of traffic during the holiday, State Police conducted high-intensity traffic operations statewide on the busiest travel days of the Independence Day holiday, specifically Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5.

Operations over the holiday resulted in State Police officers issuing about 1,100 traffic citations (41 citations were for lack of seat belt usage), and arrested 23 drunk drivers statewide.  Officers handled a total of 32 crashes, with 0 being fatal crashes.  The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau conducted over 92 commercial vehicle inspections.

“Holiday weekends are extremely busy for everyone, my officers included, but the safety of the motoring public has always been one of our top priorities,” said Tim Johnson, Chief of the New Mexico State Police “and that hard work shows on a Fourth of July weekend where State Police officers did not see a single fatal crash.”

Officers will continue holiday travel operations throughout the year.  We encourage the public to drive safely and obey all laws while traveling the motorways of New Mexico.