The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) says this year’s progress towards reducing pedestrian fatalities is encouraging. Officials say improving roadway safety remains a long-term priority.
In a statement released July 15, the department emphasized its mission remains focused on reducing fatalities across New Mexico’s roadways, adding that “every life lost is one too many.”
“Statistics show it is twice as dangerous to be a pedestrian in New Mexico, we need to build a better traffic culture for them,” NMDOT Cabinet Secretary Ricky Serna said during National Pedestrian Safety Month.
Despite signs of progress reflected in the latest statistics, reports from the United States Department of Transportation and the Governor’s Highway Safety Association show that New Mexico has had the nation’s highest per-capita pedestrian fatality rate for a decade, since 2016. An NMDOT press release reported, based on preliminary data, that New Mexico’s national pedestrian fatality ranking dropped from No. 1 to No. 9. However, finalized reports showed that New Mexico remained ranked first. Acknowledging the lives lost in communities across the state, Serna said that the department is committed to eliminating pedestrian fatalities in New Mexico.
In their efforts toward pedestrian safety, NMDOT said it continues to use the Safe System Approach, which invests in safer street designs and speeds, along with traffic safety community education. The recent statement also reiterated the department’s commitment to Target Zero, an initiative started in 2024 that aims to eliminate roadway fatalities in New Mexico by 2050. Along with the Pedestrian Safety Action Plan, the initiative includes highway, railway, bicycle, and community transportation safety plans.
NMDOT encourages drivers to follow speed limits and yield to pedestrians to improve pedestrian safety. The department encourages pedestrians to wear high-visibility clothing and use crosswalks when available.
While NMDOT officials say that recent statistics are encouraging, they stress the importance of driver, pedestrian, and community cooperation across New Mexico in reducing pedestrian fatalities and achieving the state’s Target Zero goal.
Nolan Rodrigues Walsh is an Albuquerque-born journalist covering community news and events. They prioritize empathy, transparency, and a community-centered approach. They can be reached on Instagram at @brantonenews.
