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Thursday, May 26, 2011
Data on Crashes To Determine Patrols
By Patrick Lohmann
Journal Staff Writer
Road patrols this summer are going high-tech.
The state departments of Public Safety and Transportation will use crash data analyses as they pool resources to tackle drunken and distracted driving.
That information will help them focus more on problem areas in choosing where and when to post officers for checkpoints and patrols, Gov. Susana Martinez and other officials said at a Wednesday press conference.
State Police Chief Robert Shilling said that relying on identified high-risk areas could change the way the department deploys its officers.
"The day and age of the patrol officer ... just going on duty and going on routine patrol wherever they feel like for the day — those days are kind of over," he said. "We've identified the problem areas."
The DWI Resource Center compiled data about areas statewide where car crashes are most prevalent, specifically when involving alcohol, high speeds and/or commercial vehicles. Those areas will see more checkpoints, patrols and other resources, starting Memorial Day weekend.
"What we're aiming to do is be smarter about the allocation of resources we put out there," Shilling said.
Gorden Eden, Department of Public Safety secretary, said this is the first time the three agencies — DPS, DOT and the State Police — have combined to reduce drunken and high-speed driving crashes.
Martinez said state DWI fatalities decreased 8.6 percent from 2009 to 2010, from 152 to 139.
"But 139 is still too many," she said. "Although we have made great strides in our fight against drunk driving, we still have a long way to go."
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