The Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in New Mexico

Recent information from traffic researchers in our state indicates that 2021 was the deadliest year on New Mexico roads. In comparison to prior years, the total number of road deaths climbed dramatically during the current year.

Below, we will review briefly some of the troubling data noted by the New Mexico Department of Transportation and other key agencies, as well as how officials intend to address these bleak figures.

At Will Ferguson & Associates, our Albuquerque automobile accident attorneys understand that establishing the facts of a case is essential to helping accident victims get compensation for their injuries. Similarly, knowing the important facts and data about vehicle accidents in New Mexico helps illuminate why such tragedies are so prevalent in our state. Here are some of the most relevant data points on vehicle accidents in New Mexico.

Statistics on New Mexico Pedestrian Accidents

In 2021, there were an astounding 470 traffic deaths on New Mexico highways. This is a considerable rise from the state's 2019 total of 425 road fatalities. According to NMDOT spokesman Jeff Barela, speeding, aggressive driving, and distracted driving were the most prevalent causes of fatal accidents in New Mexico during the last year. Tragically, traffic deaths in 2021 were the highest in at least a decade.

The number of traffic-related deaths caused by drunk driving did decline in the meantime. New Mexico saw 176 alcohol-related collisions in 2019. By 2021, that number had dropped to 110. Alcohol-related traffic deaths were also at their lowest rate in two decades, with Barela citing a 26% decline in drunk driving-related collision fatalities in the previous year.

Still, a recent insurance survey determined that New Mexico's drivers were the second worst in the country owing to the state's high proportion of reckless and inebriated drivers.

In addition, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration figures for New Mexico seem to support these conclusions. According to NHTSA statistics, New Mexico ranked fifth for the most incidents of reckless driving, twelfth for speeding, and tenth for the most arrests for driving under the influence.

Pedestrian Fatality Data in New Mexico

When data concentrate just on drunk driving in New Mexico, it is evident that the state has a significant public safety concern. According to a 2014 research published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New Mexico's drinking epidemic is unprecedented.

The state has had more alcohol-related fatalities per capita than any other state. For instance, 51.2 per 100,000 people die from alcohol-related causes in New Mexico.

Obviously, these figures translate into a high incidence of drunk driving accidents. Alcohol contributed to 1,037 collisions in 2015 that resulted in injury or fatalities.

Both the government and individual drivers are responsible for improving these dismal traffic mortality figures. The government may implement new policies to decrease traffic accidents, enforce existing rules and regulations more effectively, and enhance driver education programs. Drivers may contribute by abiding by traffic regulations, avoiding distractions like texting and chatting on the phone, and avoiding drink and drugs before getting behind the wheel.

If you were injured in a vehicle accident in New Mexico that a drunk driver caused, you might be entitled to compensation for your losses, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If your loved one was murdered in an accident caused by a drunk driver, you might be eligible for compensation for extra losses, such as funeral and burial expenses.

When Do Pedestrian Accidents Usually Occur?

The New Mexico Department of Transportation's 2015 Community Report displays an intriguing five-year pattern regarding accidents and seasons. Namely, December is the highest month for crashes during the span from 2011 to 2015.

The average number of accidents in December over the last five years is 3,977 each month. Only October is even close, with an annual average of 3,846 accidents. In every single year, with the exception of 2013, December was by a significant margin the most accident-prone month.

Several reasons may be at play here, including increased Christmas traffic and cold weather. Regardless of the cause, it is clear that December is the most dangerous month for automobile accidents in New Mexico.

Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in New Mexico

Given New Mexico's rate of DUI accidents, one might be excused for assuming that drunk driving is the major cause of accidents in the state. Instead, driver inattention or distraction is the most frequent human error that leads to an accident.

Driver distraction was listed as a significant factor in 21,894 of the state's 62,787 accidents caused by human error in 2015. The second most prevalent cause of collisions in 2015 was the failure to yield the right-of-way, which contributed to 6,602 incidents.

Teen Drivers in New Mexico

Furthermore, teen drivers are most likely to be involved in vehicle accidents across the country and in New Mexico.

Young drivers have less experience behind the wheel, making them more prone to making errors. The all-too-common distraction of young drivers exacerbates this fact.

For example, in 2015, the 20 to 24 age group was involved in the most collisions. Moreover, 10,124 of the 83,415 drivers involved in incidents in the state were within this age bracket. The 15-19, 25-29, and 30-34 age groups were equally susceptible to causing or being involved in collisions. However, the number of drivers involved in accidents beyond the age of 35 falls dramatically.

Contact an Accident Lawyer in New Mexico

Overall, these figures provide interesting insights into the reality of vehicle accidents in New Mexico. But if you or a loved one have been harmed in one of these incidents, please visit the office of Will Ferguson & Associates for a consultation.

Call our car accident lawyers in Albuquerque at (505) 243-5566 and find out more about how we can evaluate the facts of your case to determine whether you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.

If we find that you and yours are entitled to compensation, we will handle every element of your legal claim and provide you with seasoned legal counsel from a reputable Albuquerque automobile accident attorney team.

Reach out to us immediately for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the details of your New Mexico car accident today. We're here to help secure justice on your behalf.

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