The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has developed a statewide Pedestrian Safety Action Plan and is seeking public feedback.
In 2019, 6,205 pedestrians were killed, including 83 in New Mexico. It was the most pedestrian deaths in 30 years, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, and represents 17% of all traffic fatalities.
In addition, across the country 193,866 individuals were treated in emergency departments for injuries resulting from being struck by a vehicle, according to the Centers for Disease Control. That is the equivalent of more than 22 pedestrians injured by a vehicle every hour in the U.S.
Since 2012, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has ranked New Mexico in the top four states nationwide with the highest rates of pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 population. For four years, New Mexico had the highest rates, including in 2018 with almost four pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 population.
The draft Pedestrian Safety Action Plan is available for review at walksafenewmexico.com. Pedestrians, drivers, transit users, and bicyclists are asked to provide feedback to the plan, which provides a five-year framework of actions to reduce the number of pedestrian-involved injuries and fatalities in New Mexico.
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SOURCE: New Mexico DOT
