CHiPs actor Erik Estrada joins NM Gov. Bill Richardson for traffic safety program kickoff

By The Associated Press
Posted: 05/29/2009

ALBUQUERQUE – Actor Erik Estrada, known for portraying Officer Frank Poncherello in the 1970s television show “CHiPs,” is helping a New Mexico crackdown on drunk and reckless drivers.

Estrada will appear in a TV commercial, on billboards and do radio spots for the “100 Days and Nights of Summer” campaign, which runs June 1 to Sept. 7.

Gov. Bill Richardson’s office said Estrada was chosen “because of his popularity and his association with law enforcement organizations.” Estrada joined Richardson at a news conference Thursday to preview the initiative.

Richardson said holidays and summer months are historically the deadliest on New Mexico roadways. The effort is also aimed at increasing enforcement of seat belt and speeding laws.

Unfortunately, when I think of Erik Estrada’s image being used in a promotional manner I think of this:

…used endlessly on websites and message boards as a tool to insult others during low-IQ flamewars. I can’t believe CHiPs is being brought back to life in such a whimsical manner, as I recall it as being one of the worst television shows I’ve ever seen.

Yesterday I saw one of the campaign’s billboards and without saying anything else I’ll snap some shots and update this post soon.

UPDATE: Here’s two billboards I spotted in central Las Cruces.