State DWI App: tool or toy?

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - In just three short months a lot of people have heard about the state's 'ENDWI' App.

"So far, 7,500 people have downloaded the app on their iPhones and smart phones," NMDOT Spokesperson Melissa Dosher said.

The application makes it easier to call a cab or a designated driver. It even connects you to drunk busters and lets you estimate your blood alcohol level. Another option, playing games to test your reaction time.

Governor Susana Martinez rolled it out during a press conference in Santa Fe in September.

"It is intended to be a guide full of great information and useful educational tools that will help folks stay safe and make smart decisions," the Governor said at the press conference.

Just one problem, there is no way to know if the people who downloaded the app are actually using it because the state is not keeping track of that and there are no plans to start.

"The reason we're not going to track how people use the app is because its an educational tool and not a monitoring tool," Dosher said.

The fact that people are downloading the app Dosher said proves they are interested in preventing drinking and driving.

She added that since they started the entire 'ENDWI' campaign in June of this year DWI fatalities are down.

"It's just another tool in our arsenal to fight DWI," said Dosher.

Another reason the DOT said they do not want to monitor how people use the app is because they are afraid it might scare people off from downloading it.

While the application does not cost anything to download it was not free. The state spent $20,000 on it.

Dosher said they do plan to add some more options to the app over the next year including listing safe ride programs around the state and providing more DWI facts.