DWI checkpoints to pop up this weekend

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - While many New Mexicans will enjoy time off during the holiday weekend, state police and other law enforcement teams will be hard at work making sure all highways are safe from drunken drivers.

DWI checkpoints will pop up all over the state this Fourth of July weekend.

Thursday night, state police constructed a DWI checkpoint on State Road 304, which is south of Belen, N.M.

The site was chosen because it had been a long time since a checkpoint was held in that area, according to state police. Also, area residents reportedly complained about out of control drunken drivers.

Two suspected drunken drivers were pulled off the road.

Police spotted the first suspect driving north of the checkpoint. Police said they pulled him over for not maintaining a lane, and found an open container of alcohol in his vehicle.

The suspect was driving on a suspended license, and it was his second DWI, making it an aggravated offense.

The second suspect had just purchased beer and had children in the car with him, adding possible counts of child abuse in addition to the DWI offense.

Law enforcement officials say safety is a high priority during the summer months because more drivers are cruising on New Mexico's roads.