DWI arrests trending downward

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The trends are encouraging, but Albuquerque police still made more than 5,000 DWI arrests last year.

In the past three months more than 1,200 suspected drunken drivers have gotten a free ride to jail.

That, however, is 150 fewer arrests for the same period last year with the overall number down about 10 percent from last year.

"You can see a decline in the numbers obviously," said Albuquerque Police Department Commander Eric Garcia.  "I think a lot of that has to do with the efforts we are putting into DWI enforcement and education prevention."

There also is now more a of stigma attached to DWI along with the costs associated with being cited and convicted, he added.

Garcia also said reports from officers handling roadblocks indicate more cars ferrying drinkers have a designated driver at the wheel.