New Mexico Sees 20% Rise in Traffic Deaths This Year

A government report shows that traffic deaths in New Mexico have increased about 20 percent this year.

According to preliminary figures from the Department of Transportation, 204 people have died in traffic accidents from January through July. That’s up from 170 fatalities during the first seven months of last year, but down from 224 in 2012.

The department said law enforcement agencies have launched a Labor Day holiday weekend crackdown that will target drunken drivers.

State, local and tribal police plan checkpoints and saturation patrols through Sept. 1.

Of this year’s traffic deaths, 86 were in accidents involving alcohol. That compares with 82 fatalities in alcohol-involved crashes during the first seven months of 2013, and 102 in 2012.