Associated Press - November 20, 2009 9:25 AM ET

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - New Mexico law enforcement officers will be cracking down on drunken drivers over the next several weeks.

Gov. Bill Richardson kicked off the winter DWI Superblitz on Thursday and unveiled a new advertising campaign to accompany the increase in law enforcement.

The blitz will run through the holiday season. It will end Jan. 3.

The governor says the winter blitz is important because it overlaps with the holidays. Statistics show that alcohol is often a factor in holiday crashes.

During last winter's anti-DWI blitz, 54 people were killed in crashes. Nineteen of those involved drinking and driving.

State officials say New Mexicans can expect to see anti-DWI advertisements on television, radio and billboards during the campaign.

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