What’s happening in New Mexico now?
Despite the fact that all offenders in New Mexico are required to install an ignition interlock in their vehicle, currently only about 32 percent actually do.
The majority of offenders abscond and do not go to court, are not convicted, or tell judges they do not own a car or will not be driving. Interestingly, those who claim to not own a car are three times more likely to be re-arrested.[1]
New Mexico simply doesn’t have the infrastructure to enforce the interlock law.
According to the American Probation and Parole Association: “No state—including New Mexico which requires the use of ignition interlocks for all DWI offenders—has the infrastructure in place or the resources currently (or in the foreseeable future) to implement such a far-reaching requirement.[2]
