Live and Let Drive

In this episode, we talk with Tom Schuch, Director of Education at the New Mexico Restaurant Association, about the vital role servers and sellers play in preventing drunk driving. Fifty-eight percent of DWI arrests in New Mexico involve alcohol purchased at licensed establishments, making bartenders, servers, and clerks a first line of defense in keeping our roads safe.

Tom shares insights from his years of experience training servers and sellers through New Mexico’s alcohol server certification program. We discuss the challenges of cutting someone off, strategies for handling difficult situations, and how responsible alcohol service can save lives.

Additional links and resources

New Mexico Restaurant Association: https://www.nmrestaurants.org/

I.D. Checking Guide: https://www.driverslicenseguide.com/id-checking-guide.html

Dust storms are a growing and deadly hazard on New Mexico’s roads, with visibility dropping to zero in seconds and crashes claiming dozens of lives. In this episode, we speak with Trent Botkin from the Environmental Bureau of the New Mexico Department of Transportation about how dust storms form, why they’re becoming more frequent, and the serious risks they pose to drivers. Trent explains how NMDOT is tackling the problem at its root by restoring damaged land to prevent dust from rising in the first place. We discuss the impact of drought and overgrazing, and the groundbreaking work underway at the Lordsburg Playa, and what to do if you find yourself in a dust storm. From science to safety, this episode sheds light on a slow-moving crisis that’s finally getting the attention it deserves — and the bold strategies New Mexico is using to stop it.
 
 Additional links and resources:

“Restoring Life to the Lordsburg Playa” – New Mexico Magazine deep-dive on on-the-ground ecology, photos, and the human story behind the work: https://www.newmexicomagazine.org/blog/post/restoring-lordsburg-playa/

NMDOT Dust Storm Mitigation & Safety: https://dustmitigation.nmdotprojects.org/

National Weather Service, Dust Storms and Haboobs: https://www.weather.gov/safety/wind-dust-storm 

Since 1998, more than 1,000 children have died in hot cars. The majority of these tragic and entirely preventable losses are rooted not in neglect, but in a failure of the brain’s memory system. In this episode, we talk with Sue Auriemma, Vice President of Kids and Car Safety, about how and why these tragedies occur, the science behind memory failure, and what every parent and caregiver needs to know. Sue shares her own heartbreaking story and sheds light on the tireless advocacy efforts underway to make lifesaving technology standard in all vehicles. We explore the stigma surrounding hot car deaths, the role of public awareness, and the simple steps we can all take to prevent these tragedies.

Trigger warning: This episode includes discussion of child loss and may be emotionally difficult for some listeners.

Additional links and resources:

Kids and Car Safety
Website: https://www.kidsandcars.org
A leading nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing injuries and deaths of children in and around vehicles.

NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) – Heatstroke Prevention
Website: https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/heatstroke
Offers national statistics, safety tips, and heatstroke prevention materials.

NoHeatStroke.org
Website: https://www.noheatstroke.org
Maintained by meteorologist Jan Null, this site provides comprehensive data and analysis on pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths.

Jane Weingarten's Pulitzer Prize-winning article in The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/magazine/fatal-distraction-forgetting-a-child-in-the-backseat-of-a-car-is-a-horrifying-mistake-is-it-a-crime/2014/03/04/fb36ee3a-98c6-11e3-b88d-f36c07223d88_story.html

In Part 2 of our underage drinking series, we go behind the scenes into the real-life impact of alcohol use among teens. Joining us is Chrissy Pacheco, a substance use clinician at Serenity Mesa Youth Recovery Center, who works directly with young people battling addiction.

Chrissy shares firsthand insights into the challenges teens face, from peer pressure to family influences, and the misconceptions surrounding underage drinking. She discusses the road to recovery, the role of parental influence, and the crucial need for early intervention and education.

How are teens in New Mexico getting access to alcohol? What are the warning signs of alcohol misuse? And most importantly, what can parents, educators, and the community do to prevent it? For this episode, we go beyond the statistics and into the heart of the issue—helping teens find a path to a healthier future.

In this episode of Live and Let Drive, we take a deep dive into the issue of underage drinking with guest Rebecca Neudecker from the Office of Alcohol Misuse Prevention at the New Mexico Department of Health. Underage drinking is not just about teens consuming alcohol — it’s about long-term impacts on brain development, future health risks, and a higher likelihood of alcohol misuse disorders in adulthood. Early alcohol use is linked to dangerous behaviors like drunk driving, raising the risk of fatal crashes and alcohol-related deaths.

Rebecca shares her expertise on evidence-based strategies for prevention, the role of parents and communities in curbing underage drinking, and how New Mexico is addressing this pressing issue with tailored programs and public policy efforts. From building resilience in kids to tackling the broader cultural and social factors, this episode highlights practical steps we can all take to protect the health and futures of our youth.

Links:

NM Health, Injury Prevention Program: https://www.nmhealth.org/about/erd/ibeb/ipp/#alcohol

New Mexico Youth Risk & Resilience Survey: https://youthrisk.org/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Suicide Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/pdf/preventionresource.pdf

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources/what-you-can-do-prevent-your-child-drinking

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Underage Drinking Prevention Strategies: https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/underage-drinking/community-strategies.html

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/parenting-prevent-childhood-alcohol-use

CDC e-SBIRT tool in English: https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/CheckYourDrinking/index.html

CDC e-SBIRT tool in Spanish: https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/evalua-su-consumo-de-alcohol/index.html

In this episode of Live and Let Drive, we dive into the crucial topic of motorcycle safety with David Randall and Brittany Morrow, motorcycle enthusiasts and safety instructors from the New Mexico Motorcycle Safety Program.

David and Brittany share their personal journeys into the world of motorcycling, highlighting the importance of proper training, the right safety gear, and a defensive riding approach. They discuss the fundamentals of motorcycle safety training, continuous skill improvement, and the impact of new technologies like ABS and motorcycle stability control.

They offer practical tips for both new and experienced riders, emphasize the necessity of wearing appropriate protective gear, and explore how weather and road conditions affect motorcycle safety. The episode also touches on the vibrant motorcycle community in New Mexico, the camaraderie that comes with it, and how a focus on safety makes riding more fun.

Links:
New Mexico Motorcycle Safety Program: https://nm-msp.org/

In this  episode, we sit down with Sergeant James Burton of the Albuquerque Police Department and Aaron Wroten, a civilian reconstructionist. Both are vital members of the Fatal Crash Unit, a team that meticulously investigates fatal and near-fatal crashes to uncover the causes and prevent future tragedies.

Sergeant Burton and Mr. Roten share their expertise and shed light on their investigation process, highlighting how their efforts significantly reduce investigation times. Their work not only helps solve crash cases efficiently but also provides valuable data to partnering agencies, ultimately enhancing road safety and allowing other officers to address additional pressing issues.

The conversation delves into the emotional challenges faced by the team, offering listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the human side of crash investigations. Tragically, the gravity of their work was underscored the evening after recording when two lives were lost in three major crashes, reinforcing the crucial nature of their mission.

In this episode of Live and Let Drive, we talk with Jessica Bloom, a research scientist at the University of New Mexico Geospatial and Population Studies. With over 15 years of experience, Jessica delves into the intricacies of vehicular crashes in New Mexico, shedding light on the comprehensive database and detailed crash reports maintained by her team. From alcohol-related incidents to demographic breakdowns, Jessica's expertise in data analysis and statistical trend analysis offers invaluable insights into driving safety on New Mexico's roads. Join us as we go "Beyond the Numbers" to explore the nuances of crash report data.

Links:
UNM Geospatial and Population Studies Crash Reports: gps.unm.edu/tru/reports/annual-crash-reports/index.html

In this episode, Alyssa and Anthony Apodaca tell the story of a drunk driving crash that took the life of their unborn baby boy, Messiah. They share the raw details of that horrific night and how Mothers Against Drunk Driving provided them with invaluable emotional and practical support in the aftermath. From navigating the legal system to advocating for their rights, MADD stood by their side.

But the Apodacas' story doesn't end there. Anthony, who himself had once been on the other side of the issue after receiving a DWI, offers a unique perspective on the devastating impact of drunk driving.

Join us as we honor Messiah's life and listen to Alyssa and Anthony's experience, shedding light on the human stories behind the sobering statistics and the vital role organizations like MADD play in supporting victims and advocating for change.

Links:
Mothers Against Drunk Driving: https://madd.org/?gad_source=1#

In this episode, our guest is Dr. Nichole Morris, the Director of the HumanFIRST Lab at the University of Minnesota. The Lab's mission is to reduce injuries and fatal crashes on the road by gaining a better understanding of driving behavior, particularly how drivers interact with technology. Whether we're using navigation, cruise control, or a backup camera, technology has become an integral part of our driving experience. As a psychologist, Dr. Morris sheds light on how we interact with the technology, not just what it’s designed to do. While technology has the potential to make cars safer, it's crucial to consider whether they can also be distracting and how they directly and indirectly impact driver and pedestrian safety. We discuss Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, commonly known as ADAS and its implications for road safety. Additionally, we discuss innovative solutions to how technology can prevent drunk driving. 

For more information about HumanFIRST Lab, visit their website at https://humanfirst.umn.edu/