State police sobriety checkpoints continue in November

Drivers should continue to question whether drinking one too many this November would be a wise decision before hitting the road.

New Mexico State Police have set up sobriety checkpoints and conducted saturation patrols to combat drunk driving every month thus far this year; both will continue this month, including in Taos County.

The checkpoints are familiar to many New Mexico residents, requiring them to stop and comply with an officer’s commands, regardless of whether they’ve done anything wrong.

In 13 states, the practice of stopping drivers without probable cause has been outlawed based on the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution or the state’s constitution, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association website.

If stopped in New Mexico, however, drivers may be asked for the license and registration. If an officer suspects they may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, state law allows them to conduct a sobriety test. And if a driver refuses testing, they can be charged with a crime, including aggravated DWI.

“We are bringing awareness to these events in an effort to reduce alcohol-related fatalities through continued media attention and intensive advertising,” a press release from state police reads.