On June 16, a driver was speeding down a residential area of Coal Avenue in Albuquerque. Since it was a Sunday evening, families in the surrounding homes were likely enjoying their time before the start of the work week. The driver ultimately hit a curb, flipped, and crashed into a home. One witness believed the driver was going around 90 mph. This is well above the speed limit in an area where many parents and their children live. Thankfully, no one in the impacted home was injured. Unfortunately, a dog was killed and a neighborhood was left in greater fear of speeding drivers.
Speeding in New Mexico
Speeding is not a new issue in New Mexico. It is the second-leading cause of fatal crashes in the state. The recklessness of speeding drivers mean they are more likely to be involved in a crash. Some of the reasons for this are:
- Speeding drivers are less likely to keep control of their vehicle
- Their vehicle requires a longer distance to safely come to a stop
- They are less likely to see someone or something in the road
- They are more likely to also be doing other reckless driving acts (for example, speeding drivers are alcohol-impaired more often than drivers going the speed limit)
Statistics on Speeding
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- In the United States in 2017, speeding caused the death of 9,717 people
- 49% of speeding drivers involved in fatal crashes were not wearing seatbelts
- 87% of speeding-related fatalities occurred on non-interstate roadways, including roads through neighborhoods
- Nationally, 26% of all traffic fatalities are speeding related
- In the state of New Mexico, 37% of traffic fatalities are speeding related
Speeding Through Neighborhoods Puts Families at Risk
Speeding is a preventable cause of auto accidents, and speed limits exist to try to keep everyone on the road safe. When drivers choose not to abide by these laws, especially in residential areas, they put the lives of numerous individuals at risk. This includes children, pedestrians, bicyclists, other drivers, and pets.
Children
Residential neighborhoods should be family-friendly areas, free from life-threatening behaviors. Speeding drivers make front yards dangerous places for children to play. These drivers even make being inside their own home, as seen in the recent news story, a potentially dangerous place. While children should always be kept away from the road, a speeding driver can lose control of their vehicle and endanger a child’s life regardless of where that child is.
Pedestrians
From people on their morning runs, to parents pushing their children in strollers, neighborhoods should be safe places for pedestrians to enjoy. Speeding drivers may discourage people from taking a walk in their neighborhood, and put everyone on foot at risk for injury.
Bicyclists
When a driver speeds excessively, they are less likely to notice what else is going on in the road. If there are bicyclists trying to change lanes or make a turn, any reckless driving can lead to an accident. Drivers are only able to safely share the road when they are following all safety laws and paying attention to the task at hand.
Other Drivers
Car crashes at high speeds often mean fatalities for those involved. They can also mean medical bills, pain and suffering, lost time from work, and emotional distress. Speeding drivers place other drivers at risk for accidents.
Pets
While pets should be kept on leashes or safely within a yard at all times, the unpredictable can happen. A dog can jump a fence and try to cross the road before you can get to them. Speeding drivers may not have enough time to break before injuring a beloved four-legged member of a family.
If you’ve been injured by a driver in your neighborhood, don’t settle for a quick check from an insurance company. Insurance companies can be quick to look for a reason why you as a pedestrian, cyclist, or driver are at fault for the accident. If you are involved in a crash with a speeding driver in the Rio Rancho area, let Rio Rancho’s accident attorneys, Sanchez and Piñon, give you the representation you deserve. Sanchez and Piñon will defend your right to fair compensation and all recoverable damages.
Ways to Protect Your Neighborhood from Speeding
Talk to Your Neighbors
If you’ve noticed a high amount of speeding drivers in your neighborhood, it’s likely your neighbors have too. Talk to your neighbors and find out what time of day and in which specific areas they’ve observed the most speeding. You may want to brainstorm about ways to combat speeding drivers, such as by posting signs about children being at play in the area. You can also petition your local city counsel to help find ways to reduce speeding, such as through targeted enforcement. Together, you can work to bring greater awareness to the issue in your area.
Request a Traffic Calming Area
A traffic calming area is a portion of a roadway that uses roundabouts, narrowed roads, and/or speed humps to slow down drivers. The purpose is so each driver who passes through will have to brake to be able to maneuver through the area. It may also discourage drivers who do not live in that neighborhood from taking that road as a thoroughfare.
The City of Rio Rancho will implement a traffic calming area in your neighborhood if the roadway meets specific requirements, such as exceeding 1,000 vehicles per day. You can contact the Department of Public Works Traffic Section to request a traffic calming area, or fill out a request form.
Lead by Example
Many drivers who speed in residential areas live nearby. Be the change you want to see by ensuring you abide by speed limits and all other traffic safety laws. Encourage your family members to do the same and you can be part of the solution to reckless driving in your neighborhood.
Have you recently been injured by a speeding driver? Are you looking for experienced legal representation that will fight for you? Contact Sanchez and Piñon, Rio Rancho’s accident attorneys. While other attorneys talk, we listen and provide a personal level of representation. Let’s schedule a free consultation where we can discuss how to fight for the compensation you deserve.