Super Bowl Sundays risky for N.M. drivers

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The Super Bowl and beer: The two go hand-in-hand.

But that also makes Super Bowl Sunday one of the riskiest nights to be out on the road, an analysis of New Mexico crash numbers found.

“Anybody that drives after they've consumed alcohol is at risk for being stopped and checked for impairment,” said Lt. Keith Elder of the Sandoval County Sheriff's Office.

Elder has been in law enforcement for 28 years. During that time, he’s seen plenty of lives change after an afternoon of watching football and drinking at a Super Bowl party turns into a DWI at night.

"I've seen a variety of folks get picked up for DWI on Sunday. Sports fans, soccer moms, youngsters that are early 20s that consume alcohol,” he said.

More DWIs are handed out on Super Bowl Sundays, but there are also more injuries - and even deaths.

The DWI Resource Center ran the numbers on New Mexico. There’s an 83 percent greater risk of being hurt or killed in a crash on Super Bowl Sundays compared to other Sundays.

“If you're driving on the road and you observe somebody that looks like you're impaired, don't be afraid to call 911,” Elder said. "It's better that you call and let us know about that driver as opposed to letting that driver go and get somebody hurt.”

The Albuquerque Police Department, Rio Rancho Police Department, Sandoval County and other agencies will have saturation patrols out on the streets this weekend. There will also be lots of checkpoints Sunday night to try to catch some of those drunken drivers.