After a spike in pedestrian accident fatalities in New Mexico, a University of New Mexico student is urging Albuquerque officials to take action. Jackie Davis, a UNM student, is calling for a crosswalk on a heavily trafficked street near the campus where many students cross daily.
"I think this is a more complicated intersection than a lot they're probably dealing with, obviously because of the transit overlap," said UNM student Jackie Davis in an interview with The Paper. "I think it may take a little while, but I'm hoping to see some progress on it relatively soon."
New Mexico has the most pedestrian fatalities
New Mexico holds the grim title of having the highest pedestrian accident death rate in the U.S., according to a recent study by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). In 2023, the state recorded 99 pedestrian fatalities, translating to 4.68 deaths per 100,000 residents. This alarming figure places New Mexico at the top of the list, ahead of Florida, which reported 3.54 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 residents.
UNM student urges Albuquerque to install crosswalk
For months, UNM student Jackie Davis has advocated for a crosswalk on Central Avenue near Buena Vista Drive, a busy spot frequented by students heading to campus. Without a crosswalk, many are forced to cross the street at their own risk, The Paper reported.
Currently, signs direct pedestrians to cross at Yale Boulevard or University Boulevard—both over 500 feet away. "I cross there every single day that I go to class," Davis shared. "For a while, I really tried not to because I perceived it as being pretty dangerous. I ended up going about six minutes out of the way, going up to Yale and crossing there, but as the semester goes on, schedules get a little tighter, and crossing there became a necessity."
Davis recently presented data to city officials, highlighting that more than 40 people cross Central Avenue every hour. She's now calling on the City of Albuquerque to install a crosswalk and crossing signal at this key location.
Pedestrian accidents rarely happen in crosswalks
Installing crosswalks in high-traffic areas like Central Avenue in Albuquerque could significantly reduce pedestrian accidents. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that around 76% of pedestrian accidents occur outside of designated crosswalks or intersections, while only 18% happen within crosswalks.
Cities like Albuquerque can help lower the risk of accidents on busy streets like Central Avenue by giving pedestrians a safer, designated space to cross.
Where do pedestrian accidents happen?
If most pedestrian accidents don't occur in crosswalks, where are they happening? Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals key high-risk areas for pedestrians, as reported by the National Safety Council (NSC). According to the data:
- 84% of pedestrian accidents occur in urban areas.
- 74% happen at night on dark streets without adequate lighting.
The NSC also notes that weekends, specifically Saturdays and Sundays, see the highest number of pedestrian accidents compared to any other days of the week.
Injured in a pedestrian accident? Know your legal options
If a driver hits you while crossing the street in Albuquerque or anywhere else in New Mexico, you might initially assume that hiring a lawyer isn't necessary since the driver's fault seems obvious. However, pedestrian injury claims can quickly become complicated, especially when insurance companies get involved.
Drivers might deny responsibility. Witnesses may provide conflicting statements. Or the at-fault driver's insurance company could try to minimize your injuries or shift the blame onto you. This can leave you facing mounting medical bills and uncertainty about how to move forward with your claim. That's why having an experienced pedestrian accident attorney on your side is crucial to protecting your rights and pursuing the compensation you deserve.
At Szantho Law Firm, we have extensive experience handling complex cases involving injured pedestrians. Our dedicated legal team knows the challenges victims face and what it takes to secure fair compensation.
Learn more about your potential legal options by scheduling a free case evaluation with our team. With offices in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, we're here to help when you need it most. Give us a call or contact us online today.
"I wholeheartedly recommend Andras Szantho if you need representation for any type of personal injury case." – Meribeth D.