Occupant Protection

The primary goal of New Mexico’s Occupant Protection (OP) Program is to reduce the number of occupant protection-related traffic crashes, fatalities and injuries.

Multimodal Planning and Programs

To achieve this goal, the NMDOT Traffic Safety Division (TSD) has developed this Occupant Protection Plan focused on increasing seatbelt use and use of child safety seats among the driving public.

Juan Macias, Staff Manager
505-629-8712
Juan.macias1@dot.nm.gov

Amber Sanchez, Staff Manager
505-231-5556
amber.sanchez@dot.nm.gov

Pierrot Bendegue, Program Coordinator
505-629-3762
pierrot.bendegue@dot.nm.gov

Program Managers

District 1 Sonya Dalton 505-531-7672 sonya.dalton@dot.nm.gov	District 2 Karyssa Garcia 505-660-8103 Karyssa.Garcia@dot.nm.gov
District 3 Marcus Sandoval 505-394-1840 marcus.sandoval@dot.nm.gov	District 4 & 6 Steve Lujan 505-709-7861 steve.lujan@dot.nm.gov
District 5 John Vargas 505-231-6784 john.vargas2@dot.nm.gov	Safer New Mexico Now Eileen Rios 505-471-2239 eileenrios@safernm.org

Occupant Protection: Seatbelt and Child Passenger Safety

News and Events

Child Passenger Safety Week and National Seat Check Saturday on Sept. 26, 2026

Date September 20, 2026 - September 26, 2026Time @ 9:00 am- @ 11:00 pm Venue at STATEWIDECategory | Car Seat Inspection, Traffic Safety

NMDOT to hosts car seat safety checks statewide SANTA FE — The New Mexico Department of Transportation Traffic Safety Division will sponsor car seat inspection clinics across the state Saturday,

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