NM fatalities still rank as nation’s highest rate
SANTA FE — The Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) released its Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities by State: 2024 Preliminary Data report, showing a 4% decrease in pedestrian fatalities in New Mexico.
In 2024 there were 94 fatalities, down from 108 in 2023. Despite this progress, the state continues to have 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,” said 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.”
NMDOT is taking strategic steps to improve pedestrian safety through infrastructure enhancements, education, and data-driven planning.
NMDOT adopted Target Zero and utilizes the Safe System Approach, which emphasizes five pillars for traffic safety: safer people, safer speeds, safer vehicles, safer roads, and post-crash care. Together, these elements help prevent crashes and reduce the severity of those that do occur.
In August Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons will be installed in Lovington and Hobbs. There is one set at each location: Hobbs: US 62/180 (N Marland Blvd) and Lovington: US 82 (Main St.).
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons are traffic devices that alert drivers of pedestrians crossing the roadway. Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons have the potential to reduce pedestrian fatalities by up to 45%, based on findings from NMDOT’s 2023 Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment.
An upcoming project on Louisiana Blvd. in Albuquerque is using Pedestrian Activated Warning System (PAWS) to warn drivers when people are crossing the street. PAWS can recognize when someone is walking across driving lanes and activate special lights to warn drivers and stop traffic.
As part of this continued commitment, NMDOT will host the 2nd Annual Transportation Safety Summit and Tribal Safety Summit on September 16–17 in Albuquerque, bringing together professionals in roadway design, enforcement, behavioral safety, and emergency response to collaborate on lifesaving strategies. More information on the Summit is available here: www.dot.nm.gov/target-zero/
About Target Zero
Launched in 2024, Target Zero is NMDOT’s transformative initiative to eliminate all roadway fatalities by 2050. It unites transportation professionals across New Mexico around a common goal: creating a transportation system where every journey ends safely.