The New Mexico State Police report issuing a hefty number of citations over the Memorial Day weekend.
The NMSP participated in the Combined Accident Reduction Effort (CARE) operation across all roadways within the state. The goal of the traffic initiative was that a strong law enforcement presence would have a direct effect on the driving behaviors of motorists during the holiday weekend, thus reducing the number of wrecks and increasing motorist safety.
Operations over the holiday resulted in NMSP officers issuing more than 4,500 traffic citations (470 citations were for lack of seatbelt usage) and arresting 61 drunk drivers statewide.
Officers handled a total of 49 wrecks, one of which was fatal. The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Bureau issued approximately 248 commercial vehicle citations and conducted more than 559 commercial vehicle inspections.
