PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
In the early 1990s, the New Mexico legislature launched several new initiatives aimed at reducing its high rate of driving while intoxicated (DWI). One of these initiatives was a 1991 law imposing a $75 fee on every convicted drunk driver. This fee has generated nearly $800,000 annually. The money is collected by judges, and sent to the State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), and then transferred to the New Mexico Traffic Safety Bureau to help fund community programs targeting DWI.

However, in 1993, New Mexico continued to experience the highest motor vehicle crash fatality rate in the nation; 26.7 per 100,000 population. This rate was nearly twice the national rate of 15.6 per 100,000 population. Impaired driving was a major contributor to the morbidity and mortality associated with New Mexico's motor vehicle crashes.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In an effort to more rigorously address the issue of impaired driving statewide, the New Mexico Traffic Safety Bureau developed the Community DWI Program in 1994. In 1998, the program was updated, and the following specific goals were identified:

• To create widespread community involvement in addressing the DWI problem and other motor vehicle injury prevention initiatives
• To reduce the number of New Mexicans killed annually in DWI crashes from 44 percent in 1998 to 42 percent in 2000

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
Program planners refocused their efforts in the Community DWI Program in 1998 to embrace the following strategies:

• Increased DWI prevention efforts
• Community-tailored public information and education campaigns
• Increased DWI enforcement
• Improved programs to stop those convicted of DWI from becoming repeat offenders

Funds received by the New Mexico Traffic Safety Bureau from fines for convicted drunk drivers are returned to communities that apply for the funding, and propose to undertake approved activities that will positively impact impaired driving. The Community DWI Program leverages funding from local DWI programs throughout the state.

Each community that applies for funding has a task force composed of representatives from various groups in the community such as emergency medical services, local government, schools, hospitals, law enforcement, the Department of Health, prosecutors, courts, tribal governments and the media. Task force members meet to analyze the local DWI issues, discuss strategies and approve the application for funds to address the individual needs of each community.

RESULTS
This community-based, community-driven DWI program plays a crucial role in reducing alcohol-related traffic crashes in New Mexico. As a result of the Community DWI Program, the DWI-related traffic crash fatality rate dropped from 26.7 in 1993 to 12.7 in 1997. Program planners hope to decrease this rate further by 2000.

The program has been so successful, that plans are underway to expand its scope to include other traffic safety issues. In an effort to follow the Safe Communities model, local task forces are targeting other issues such as occupant protection and bicycle safety. These programs have collaborated with local vendors to obtain donations including car seats, bicycle helmets and coupons for free gasoline to increase awareness of these important traffic safety issues.

FALL 1999