The Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has released its Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2024 Preliminary Data report, indicating a 4% decrease in pedestrian fatalities in New Mexico. In 2024, the state recorded 94 fatalities, down from 108 in the previous year. Despite this reduction, New Mexico still holds the highest per-capita pedestrian fatality rate in the nation.
"This reduction in pedestrian fatalities marks progress toward our Target Zero goal of eliminating all traffic-related fatalities by 2050," stated Ricky Serna, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT). "However, this still means 94 lives lost, 94 people in our community who didn’t make it home in 2024. We remain committed to doing everything we can to change that."
To enhance pedestrian safety, NMDOT is implementing infrastructure improvements and focusing on education and data-driven planning. The department has adopted Target Zero and employs the Safe System Approach, which emphasizes safer people, speeds, vehicles, roads, and post-crash care.
In August, Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons will be installed in Lovington and Hobbs at US 62/180 (N Marland Blvd) and US 82 (Main St.), respectively. These traffic devices aim to alert drivers about pedestrians crossing roadways and have shown potential to reduce pedestrian fatalities by up to 45%, according to NMDOT's findings from their 2023 Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment.
Additionally, a project on Louisiana Blvd. in Albuquerque will utilize a Pedestrian Activated Warning System (PAWS) to alert drivers when pedestrians are crossing streets. This system activates special lights to warn drivers and stop traffic when someone is walking across driving lanes.
As part of ongoing efforts for safety improvement, NMDOT will host the second annual Transportation Safety Summit and Tribal Safety Summit on September 16–17 in Albuquerque. This event aims to gather professionals from various sectors including roadway design, enforcement, behavioral safety, and emergency response for collaborative strategy development aimed at saving lives.
Target Zero was launched in 2024 as NMDOT's initiative with an objective of eliminating all roadway fatalities by the year 2050. It seeks collaboration among transportation professionals throughout New Mexico towards ensuring safe travel for everyone.
