Governor Strengthens Liquor Regulations To Protect New Mexico from Drunk Drivers

Santa Fe– Governor Bill Richardson today announced a framework that outlines tough, new liquor regulations that are designed to reduce the number of minors and intoxicated people who are being served alcohol in bars and restaurants.

The new regulations give the state the authority to revoke a liquor license for any establishment with three convictions for sales to minors, three convictions for sales to people who are intoxicated – or any combination of three citations from either category during a 12-month period. The old standard was five offenses.

Governor Richardson said the new regulations give the state another tool to help get drunk drivers off of New Mexico roads and highways. Earlier this year, the Governor announced an 11-percent reduction in the number of alcohol-related traffic deaths.

“Despite the success, and despite all of the attention to this problem, some people refuse to change their behavior,” Governor Bill Richardson said. “Today, we are attacking the problem from yet another front. I am announcing tough, new regulations that hold bars and restaurants accountable for their role in preventing drunk driving.

“These are tough, but fair, regulations that put bars and restaurants on notice: If they serve liquor to minors, or if they serve liquor to people who are intoxicated, they risk losing their liquor license,” Governor Richardson said.

In addition to the regulations, Governor Richardson also said he will also crack down on establishments where over-service of alcohol leads to death or serious injury.

“It is not acceptable that 50 percent – or half – of all individuals arrested for DWI in New Mexico are coming from licensed liquor establishments at the time of their arrests,” Governor Richardson said. “It is also not acceptable that the average blood-alcohol content for all DWI arrests is 0.17 – or more than twice the legal limit.”