HOUSE MEMORIAL 124

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Harry Garcia and Derrick J. Lente

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF THE USE OF IGNITION INTERLOCK DRIVER'S LICENSES TO IDENTIFY THE HOLDER AS A PERSON WHO IS PROHIBITED FROM PURCHASING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico has one of the highest driving while intoxicated rates in the nation; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexican families continue to be devastated by drunk drivers; and

     WHEREAS, repeat offenders continue to terrorize the roads and highways of New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico legislature has over the years responded with multiple measures to keep drunk drivers off the highways; and

     WHEREAS, despite these efforts, from 2003 to 2012, there were over one thousand two hundred fifty-four fatalities caused by repeat offenders; and

     WHEREAS, this staggering figure has resulted in the continued efforts by law enforcement, the judiciary, advocates and governmental agencies to curtail the trends, but the number of deaths continues to escalate to epidemic proportions; and

     WHEREAS, in 2005, New Mexico was the first state in the country to require that anyone who is convicted of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs obtain an ignition interlock license and install an ignition interlock system in his or her vehicle; and

     WHEREAS, despite the decrease of driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs offenders, the number of individual repeat offenders continues to escalate; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico legislature turned to the use of ignition interlock devices to help limit drunk driving on the highways; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico legislature continues to look at ways to address these issues to get repeat offenders off the highways;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of public safety, the taxation and revenue department and the appropriate interim committee be requested to study and evaluate the use of ignition interlock licenses to facilitate the prohibition of the sale of alcohol to the holder of the license; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the department of public safety, the taxation and revenue department and the New Mexico legislative council.

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