New Mexico DOT Launches Survey on Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety

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NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – New Mexico has the highest rate of pedestrian fatalities in the country, and this alarming trend is prompting the state to develop a new strategy. The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is currently working on a comprehensive plan aimed at making roads safer for all users, with a particular focus on those who are not driving.

State roads serve as the main arteries through smaller communities and major cities, but they are often not designed with non-drivers in mind. In 2024, 94 people were killed by vehicles in New Mexico, making it the state with the highest number of pedestrian deaths per capita. This issue is one that the NMDOT cannot overlook.

“And a big part of that is because the infrastructure we have here doesn’t really accommodate for people making mistakes,” said Samuel Jensen, NMDOT’s Pedestrian, Cyclist, and Equestrian Coordinator. “We need to rethink how we design our streets so that even when someone makes an error, it doesn’t result in a fatal outcome.”

Jensen emphasized that the way New Mexico structures its roadways needs to change. “We can build infrastructure that is safe enough that when someone makes a mistake, it doesn’t cost them their life. Unfortunately, we haven’t done that traditionally. A big part of this plan is about creating that kind of safety redundancy in our roads.”

To better understand what makes New Mexicans feel safe or unsafe on the roads, NMDOT launched a public survey as part of the state’s ongoing “Active Transportation Plan.” The survey is designed to gather insights from residents on their experiences and comfort levels while walking or biking.

Jensen described the plan as being centered around safety. “NMDOT is really committed to improving safety for everyone who uses DOT roads,” he said. The roughly ten-minute survey will be available until the end of January. Once completed, the DOT will create a set of guidelines for communities to use when planning future road projects, with the goal of making roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as for those accompanying children.

“A blueprint of how the DOT will invest in better pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the future,” Jensen added.

The survey includes images of various roadways and crossings across the state, asking participants to rate their comfort level with walking or biking in those areas. “The type of infrastructure we recommend will be driven by the context provided by the responses,” Jensen explained.

Importantly, the plan does not require additional funding from lawmakers. “It’s more about using existing DOT resources more efficiently, rather than spending a lot of new money,” Jensen said.

So far, the NMDOT has received over 1,000 responses to the survey. The department plans to use the feedback to finalize the “Active Transportation Plan” and aims to complete it by fall. This initiative marks a significant step toward creating a safer transportation system for all New Mexicans.