Drunk driver accidents in New Mexico have consistently been a problem. However, upon closer examination, the nature of their influence has changed over time. In 1982 roughly 65% of all accidents in New Mexico, including Albuquerque, were caused by drunk drivers. Since that time there has been a fairly consistent drop in alcohol related accidents. In 2005 the percentage of accidents that were alcohol related had dropped to 39%.
Although drunk driving in New Mexico remains a social plague, its complexion has, and continues to change. The drunk driving accident fatality rate remains roughly .30% higher than the national average.