Alcohol-Related Traffic Deaths in New Mexico Slightly Up

State records show that alcohol-related deaths from traffic crashes in New Mexico rose slightly.

Preliminary Traffic Safety Bureau records indicate 146 people were killed in highway crashes involving alcohol in 2011. That’s up from 145 in 2010, but down from 152 in 2009.

Alcohol-involved traffic deaths accounted for 41 percent of the 355 people killed in highway crashes last year.

State officials say an online government report wrongly listed the 2010 totals at 128 rather than 145.

New Mexico police are stepping up enforcement against drunken driving through the weekend, including St. Patrick’s Day, with more patrols and sobriety checkpoints. The “superblitz” runs through March 19.

A spokesman for Gov. Susana Martinez said Tuesday the state needs to crack down on repeat drunken drivers to help reduce alcohol-involved traffic deaths.