Albuquerque's "Speeding Has A Name" educational campaign is a now more than a month into its attempt to save lives and have fewer drivers answer questions about whether they knew how fast they were driving.
Everyone in the greater Albuquerque area has likely noticed the city's PSAs on television and radio, billboards in high accident areas of the city, buses, social media, yard signs and bumper stickers. The PSAs and other initiatives are intended to slow down drivers and put names and faces beside those potentially harmed by those drivers, all part of the "Speeding Has A Name" campaign launched on April 30.
Albuquerque City Councilor Klarissa Peña 300x300 72dpi
| cabq.gov
"Speeding and careless driving is a serious concern in our community, and many families have been impacted," Albuquerque City Councilor Klarissa Peña said in a Facebook post on June 7.
Peña represents Albuquerque's District 3, made up of the South West Mesa and incorporated areas of the South Valley.
New Mexico was No. 1 in the nation for pedestrian fatalities for the fifth year in a row, according to data released in March by the Governors Highway and Safety Association.
Tragedy was the impetus behind the campaign, Peña said in her June 8 Facebook post. In September, 33-year-old Erika Chavez was killed in a car crash, leaving behind her husband and 15-, 8- and 3-year-old children, KRQE reported in a news story at the time.
"The family of Erica Chavez, a young mother, wife and daughter who lost her life as a result of careless driving, reached out to my office wanting to share their family's story about the devastating loss in hopes that it would help to bring awareness and educate others about the impacts of this type of driving," Peña said. "Thanks to my colleagues on council, we were able to develop the campaign."
It is Erika Chavez's name and photo that have given speeding a name in Albuquerque, driving home that speeding is not a victimless crime, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said in the city's announcement about the "Speeding Has A Name" campaign.
"Families who have lost loved ones know that too well, and it’s time everyone steps up and slows down," Keller said. "It's why City Council, Albuquerque Police Department and our office are coming together with new targeted enforcement strategies and this citywide education campaign."
In her Facebook post, Peña urged greater Albuquerque residents to "help spread the word" by sharing a video released by the city "and, if you’re interested, all [Albuquerque Police Department] Substations have yard signs you can pick up to post as well."
Family members of Erika Chavez appear in the city's campaign video in which Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina warns against high-speed driving, particularly drag racing through the city's streets.
"Street racing is not just stupid, it's deadly," Chavez said in the video. "We see it every day. Innocent lives destroyed by reckless speeding on our streets."