Thread: Las Vegas:DUI's Increasing in Spanish Speaking Community

Chris Saldana, Reporter
DUI's Increasing in Spanish Speaking Community
Updated: Jan 26, 2009 03:01 PM PST

Last year, 1,500 DUI's were handed out in Las Vegas to Spanish speakers. In Mexico, and other Spanish speaking countries, the laws are not as strict for DUI's and DUI awareness is minimal compared to in America.

A major campaign is underway to help educate the Spanish speaking community on the dangers of drinking and driving, as Metro and NHP are seeing more Spanish speaking drivers under the influence.

"I don't think they are aware of the laws or understand what we do at the checkpoints -- how we run them. They just don't know," said Metro Detective Tim Babcock.

Sandra Menjivar moved to Las Vegas from El Salvador 10 years ago. She says in her country, DUI's are handled differently, "The laws of transportation are different. You drive drunk, you can pay the police and get away. Even if you kill someone, you won't get in that much trouble."

The Academy of Human Development has teamed up with Metro Police, the Nevada Highway Patrol, Stop DUI, and a number of other agencies to start an aggressive campaign reaching out to the Hispanic community.

"You are no longer in your country -- people need to realize this. The laws and rules are different here. I think this will help. This is a great idea, but in the end it's up to you to learn the rules of this country," said Menjivar.

From public service announcements in Spanish to prevention classes, AHD is working to bring the number of DUI's down.

Miriam Rodriguez is an immigration attorney in the valley. She says it's not just a language barrier but also a cultural issue, "I can tell you that having clients that do emigrate from those countries, they don't consider it something severe. It's just a normal, everyday occurrence."

Police say it's not just DUI's, but also other laws that are broken, like not wearing seat belts or having children restrained in car seats. They are working to curb these violations as well.

http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=9735743

I could really care less if it is normal for you nut cases to drive drunk in your country

you goofs are killing American citizens by the thousands so you can continue this in this country... I dont think so

"I don't think they are aware of the laws or understand what we do at the checkpoints -- how we run them. They just don't know," said Metro Detective Tim Babcock.

BS! They know everything there is on how to get freebies, don't they? They also know they are breaking immigration laws or else they wouldn't be afraid of deportation, don't they? They like to IGNORE our laws, that's what it is.

BS! They know everything there is on how to get freebies, don't they? They also know they are breaking immigration laws or else they wouldn't be afraid of deportation, don't they? They like to IGNORE our laws, that's what it is.

I agree, they know....it's just another one our many laws they don't like and don't feel like obeying. How about putting it on your Spanish radio and TV programs? Like a service announcement. We've already educated the masses and can't afford another wave of mindless education to a group who apparently has no intention of obeying them anyway.

A major campaign is underway to help educate the Spanish speaking community on the dangers of drinking and driving, as Metro and NHP are seeing more Spanish speaking drivers under the influence.

A major campaign is unnecessary, just make it mandatory to check the immigration status of anybody stopped for DUI and deport any that are found to be here illegally. I'm quite sure they will understand that law without any campaign!