History Operation DWI The first 10-day ODWI blitz was held in December 1993 with 49 participating law enforcement agencies (city, county, tribal, university, and each of the 13 New Mexico State Police Districts). Blitzes were held every other month for the first two years. Analysis by the Epidemiology Office of the Department of Health showed a significant reduction in DWI crashes and crash deaths during blitz months (27%) compared to non-blitz months (9%); therefore, as of March 1996, the decision was made to go to monthly blitzes. Also in 1996, ODWI began to include saturation patrols, as well as checkpoints. This change provided agencies, especially the smaller ones, greater flexibility to conduct activities during blitzes when staffing shortages or bad weather prohibited checkpoints.

According to statistics from the University of New Mexico Division of Government Research, the number of alcohol-involved fatalities in New Mexico declined by 36% between 1990 and 2000. Research indicates that public education, combined with highly visible law enforcement, is a powerful tool in decreasing the number of people who drink and drive. In 2003, according to Division of Government Research at the University of New Mexico, _ Fifty percent of all fatal crashes involved alcohol.  _ A person died in an alcohol-involved crash every 41 hours.  _ A person was injured in an alcohol-involved crash every 3 hours.  _ An alcohol-involved crash occurred every 150 minutes. Operation Buckle Down The first OBD two-week blitz period was held in February 1994 with 52 agencies taking part. At that time, the statewide seat belt use rate was 70%: good, but not good enough. A goal of "85 by 95" was set for the following year; an 85% use rate was ambitious, but the goal was achieved and surpassed. The 17-city observational surveys conducted in September 1995 showed a statewide seat belt use rate of 86%. By September of 1997, New Mexico had achieved an 88% use rate. Despite our high adult use rates, New Mexico's child restraint rates have lagged far behind. Limited observational data indicated a combined (infant, toddler, and youth) use rate of 55% by 1996. In an effort to remedy this discrepancy, Safer and the TSB embarked on a special child restraint enforcement component within Operation Buckle Down in the spring of 1997. Participating law enforcement agencies agreed to focus their OBD efforts on child restraints during blitz periods. Also, two special "kid blitzes" were held in July 1997 and April 1998. In June of 1998, observational surveys conducted in 13 communities showed a combined child restraint use rate of 74%-a 19-point increase in about a year. Superblitz The OBD and ODWI programs were reconfigured for the 97/98-contract year. Instead of monthly DWI and quarterly seat belt blitzes, there were Superblitz periods four times a year (Drive right . . . or stay home! campaign): March, May, August, and November. The participating law enforcement agencies conduct sobriety checkpoints, seat belt enforcement, child restraint enforcement, and other stepped-up traffic enforcement (such as speed) during each two-week Superblitz period. Throughout the year, the agencies have the flexibility they need to schedule ODWI and OBD activity according to local needs. As of October 2002, 67 law enforcement agencies (includes municipal, county, and tribal agencies) and each of the 12 New Mexico State Police Districts participate in ODWI and OBD programs.