JUL-SEP 2014
texting while
driving now
illegal in
new mexico
What’s In your car?
RESEARCH SHOWS
CHILDREN’S
DUI DEATHS DOWN
NEW MEXICO
RALLIES BEHIND
CLICK IT OR TICKET
THE NEW TEENAGE
PERSPECTIVE
2014 LAW
ENFORCEMENT
COORDINATORS’
SYMPOSIUM
PASEO/I-25 UPDATE
THE ANNUAL
WASHTO MEETING
TO BE HELD IN
NEW MEXICO
New MeXICO GETS
KIDZ IN MOTION
upcoming events
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Texting While Driving Now Illegal
in New Mexico
Starting July 1st, texting while driving will officially
be illegal in the state of New Mexico, making it the
42nd state to pass legislation against distracted
driving. According to the National Safety Council
(NSC), between 32,800 and 43,500 people have
been killed annually in motor vehicle crashes since
1994. Of those, an estimated 21 percent involved
talking on the cell phone, and a minimum of three
percent of the crashes are estimated to involve
texting. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that at any point during the
day, nine percent of drivers are using their cell phones.
Understanding the Distracted Brain, a White Paper published by the NSC in 2012, explains how
multitasking on the cell phone makes the driver’s brain unfit to effectively operate a vehicle, especially
when faced with unexpected driving hazards. What researchers have termed the “reaction-time switching
costs,” is an actual measure of time that it takes for the brain to switch focus from one task to another. The
time it takes the brain to switch from cell phone to the road, alone, can result in tremendous damage. For
instance, in a car traveling 40mph, the delay in reaction equates to traveling 120 feet or eight additional car
lengths before stopping. To read more of the report, click here.
“There is no text message, no Facebook post, no tweet worth a person’s life,” states Governor Susana
Martinez, who signed the law on March 2, 2014. The final version of Senate Bill 19 states, “A person
shall not read or view a text message or manually type on a handheld mobile communication device for
any purpose while driving a motor vehicle.” The exceptions to this rule are using a navigation system,
summoning medical or other emergency help, or using a hands-free device.
The law affects anyone who is “in actual physical control of a motor vehicle on a highway or street,”
including being temporarily stopped at a traffic light or sign. To specify even further, “text message” is
defined as “a digital communication transmitted or intended to be transmitted between communication
devices and includes electronic mail, an instant message, a text or image communication and a command
or request to an internet site.” The punishment for first time offenders is a fine of $25, which increases to
$50 for subsequent offenses.
PHOTOS BY: SAFER NEW MEXICO NOW
What’s In Your Car?
We have all heard about the dangers of leaving a child inside a
car on a hot day. Yet, nationwide, an average of 38 children die
annually from vehicular heatstroke. In 2013, the number of deaths
was 44, and nine children have already fallen victim in 2014.
The New Mexico Department
of Health issued a warning
on June 3, 2014, advising the
State’s residents to take
extra precautions to avoid
heat-related illness and to
be extra vigilant not to leave
children in vehicles. “It may
be tempting not to ‘wake the
sleeping baby’ for a quick
trip inside the store, but
the fact is young children
are at greater risk for
heatstroke than adults,”
said Department of Health
Cabinet Secretary, Retta
Ward, MPH. “Their bodies
heat up three to five times
faster than adults, and
anyone can become ill
from heat if their body can’t
compensate for it and
properly cool them off.”
c o n t i n ue d on pa ge 6
Research shows children’s DUI deaths down
By Lindsey Tanner, AP Medical Writer
ABQ Journal: 5-19-14
Chicago – The number of children killed by drunken
motorists has declined substantially in recent years
but the biggest threat remains their own drivers, not
strangers in other vehicles, a study found.
The data show most impaired drivers survived these
crashes, suggesting many kids might have survived if
they’d been wearing seat belts or using car seats.
Researchers analyzed 2000-10 government traffic
deaths data and found 2,344 passengers younger
than age 15 were killed in crashes involving a drunken
driver. Two thirds were riding in cars driven by drunken
drivers, but those cases declined by 40 percent during
the decade.
Texas and California had the most deaths among kids
riding with drunken drivers, but rates were higher in
smaller, less populous states.
Almost two-thirds of kids who died while riding with
drunken drivers were not wearing seat belts. And many
of the drivers had no valid license. Most were adults.
New Mexico Rallies Behind
Click It Or Ticket
Some of the same researchers published
a similar analysis 14 years ago that found
close to 6,000 child deaths involving a
drunken driver from 1985-1996. Like the
new numbers, two-thirds of those deaths
were in kids riding with a drunken driver.
The new study was led by Dr. Kyran Quinlan
of Northwestern University and researchers
from the federal Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. It was published online in
Pediatrics, www.aap.org.
The researchers note that most states have
laws that provide stiffer DUI penalties for
driving with a child, but suggest the laws
need to be uniformly enforced. They also
suggest better methods for preventing
adults without drivers’ licenses from getting
behind a wheel, and other proven deterrents
including more sobriety checkpoints on
roadways.
Traffic Laws
Trivia
On Monday, May 19th, the New Mexico Department of Transportation
(NMDOT) Traffic Safety Division (TSD) held a news conference in Rio
Rancho to announce New Mexico’s participation in the national “Click
It Or Ticket” seatbelt enforcement program.
The NMDOT Cabinet Secretary Tom Church, the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Regional Administrator
Georgia Chakiris, and Chief Michael Geier of the Rio Rancho
Police Department, urged all state, local, and tribal law enforcement
agencies across New Mexico to join the nationwide effort in seat belt
enforcement through the Memorial Day weekend.
According to NHTSA, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death
for people under the age of 34, and approximately 43,000 people die
in motor vehicle crashes throughout the U.S. annually.
Nighttime vehicle occupants are among those least likely to buckle up
and most likely to be killed in crashes when unrestrained; therefore, a
PHOTO BY: SAFER NEW MEXICO NOW
Q1: Which state imposes a $78 fine for running into a padestrian?
Q2: Which state requires its residents by law to honk before passing?
Night Time Seat Belt Enforcement Operation was conducted during
the news event. The operation results were as follows:
Seat Belt Citations: 40
Child Restraints: 1
Suspended/ Revoked: 3
Uninsured Motorists: 6
Other Citations: 7
Arrests: 3
Aggravated DWI: 1
Warrant Arrests: 2
Child Passenger Safety was another high-priority topic of discussion.
Though statistics have proven that child safety seats, when used
correctly, can reduce fatal injuries by over 70 percent in infants and
54 percent in toddlers, more than half of the children killed in crashes
were not wearing seat belts. In efforts to bring awareness to child
passenger safety, the NMDOT is providing BKLUP baby “onesie”
outfits to hospitals participating in the New Mexico Child Safety Seat
Distribution Program. To order a BKLUP “onesie,” please call the
Safer New Mexico Now Injury Prevention Center at 1-800-231-6145.
PHOTOS BY: SAFER NEW MEXICO NOW
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traff ic safet y news
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The New Teenage
Perspective
Alcohol is the most commonly used and
abused drug by youth in the US according
to Myinstead.com. New Mexico currently
ranks first in the Nation in the number
of children who consume their first
alcoholic drink prior to the age of 13, and
alcohol-related costs in New Mexico total
more than $243 million per year.
Currently, 86% of youth say they drink in
their own or someone else’s home, while
51% of youth say that they obtain alcohol
from their friends. We asked the winner of the Myinstead video contest,
Ryan Williamson, some questions about his views on underage drinking.
Q: Do you know, or have you heard of anyone whose life has been changed by
alcohol? If so, how did it change?
A: My neighbor, who was an alcoholic, changed from being a rational and normal person, to a violent
PHOTO BY: SAFER NEW MEXICO NOW
nightmare. After years of self-abuse, the man died of liver failure.
Q: If you had a chance to talk to this person, what advice would you give him?
A: While I can’t give advice to my neighbor, I do have friends suffering from drug addiction. These otherwise good people are hurting
themselves and the people who care about them. Addiction is very difficult to overcome. The best advice I would give to these people would
be to ask for help. You can’t always beat drug addiction by yourself. Your friends and family can be your greatest defense.
Q: Why do you think teenagers feel the need to drink or use drugs?
A: Teenagers want to be thought highly of by their peers, and make choices that, while not very smart, will impress their friends. Peer pressure
results in plenty of drug addiction. One way to combat this is to teach the importance of individuality. Teenagers shouldn’t have to prove their
worth to their friends, especially if that means doing drugs or consuming alcohol.
Q: What do you wish there was more of in the world?
A: I wish that there was less apathy in the world. If there were more socially conscious people stepping up and doing their part, we could solve
a majority of the world’s problems, including alcoholism and drug addiction. Instead, many people prefer to stay ignorant and happy, rather
than assess the many problems plaguing us and finding ways to fix them.
Q: Do you think that other teens would share that attitude with you?
A: I think many teens share the same opinions as me. The trick, however, is for
them to be more vocal about it. With so much social media and commmunication,
young people have more influence on the planet than ever before. Our opinions
carry a lot of weight, and it’s up to us to take action against apathy and educate
future generations about the dangers of drug addiction and alcoholism.
Ryan is one of two winners of the Myinstead video campaign. He is
a graduating Senior from the Public Academy For Performing Arts,
where over 50 students submitted their videos for consideration.
View his video here.
Q3: Some birds actually have the right of way in this state.
Q4: In which state is it illegal to operate a car with a gorilla in the back seat?
Fitting Stations offer child safety seat inspection appointments during
regular hours of operation at nine permanent New Mexico locations.
Fitting Stations
Alamogordo
(505) 439-4300
Albuqerque: Central
(505) 272-6024
Las Vegas
(800) 231-6145
Albuquerque: NE
(505) 856-6143
Farmington:
(800) 231-6145
Rio Rancho
First Friday of each month
(800) 231-6145
Albuquerque: SW
(505) 856-6143
Las Cruces
(800) 231-6145
Santa Fe
(505) 471-3965
(800) 231-6145
Third Saturday of each month
2nd and 4th Fridays of each month
Third Thursday of each month
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First Friday of each month
Third Saturday of each month
First Wednesday of each month
Las Wednesday of each month
2nd and 4th Fridays of each month
jul- s e p 2014
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2014 Law Enforcement Coordinators’ Symposium
By Melissa Dosher, NMDOT Public Information Officer
The annual Law Enforcement Coordinators Symposium (LECS) was held May 7-8 at the Sandia Resort.
Hosted by NMDOT’s Traffic Safety Division and Safer New Mexico Now, the conference provides law enforcement officers
from across New Mexico with traffic safety training and education through presentations from experts in their respective fields.
Sessions included such topics as distracted
driving, regional strategies and drugged
driving. On that issue was new focus on
synthetic marijuana, or “spice,” and the
dangers it presents to not only drivers,
but the hurdles it takes to prosecute such
cases since “spice” is not a substance
that shows up on toxicology screens.
NMDOT Secretary Tom Church and Traffic
Safety Division Bureau Chief Robert
Archuleta provided welcoming remarks.
Presentations during the conference were
given by Traffic Safety staff members Kimberly
Wildharber, Lolita Martinez, Johnny Michael
Quintana, Cindy Abeyta and Juliet Armijo.
PHOTO BY: SAFER NEW MEXICO NOW
Q5: In which state is it legal to drive without a windshield, but not to drive
without windshield wipers?
Q6: Swearing from a vehicle in this state is considered a misdemeanor.
Paseo/I-25 Update
It may come as a relief to motorists from around the City, that June 4, 2014 marked the 50% completion point on
the Paseo/I-25 construction. The project’s design was fully completed as of May 31, 2014, and the New Mexico
Department of Transportation expects the project to be largely completed by December 20, 2014.
Some anticipated milestones include:
• New Eastbound Paseo Del Norte lanes open to traffic – July 2014
• Flyover construction complete – November 2014
Until the completion date, please remember to practice caution around the construction zones,
and be on the lookout for changing traffic signs. Please visit http://www.paseoi25.com for more details.
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tr affic safet y news
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The Annual WASHTO Meeting
to be Held in New Mexico
The New Mexico Department of Transportation
(NMDOT) will be hosting the 2014 Annual
Western Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (WASHTO) Meeting on
July 13-16, 2014. WASHTO is a membership
of 18 states, including New Mexico, which
works with the United States Department of
Transportation and other governmental agencies
to promote national policies on transportation issues and forge a closer
relationship between its members. WASHTO meetings create a forum
for exchanging ideas, exploring and adapting techniques, and promoting
quality best practices for implementation across all participating states.
This year’s meeting, titled “Crossroads to the Future,” will take place
at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Albuquerque and will address
the technological, innovational, and funding “crossroads,” which the
transportation industry is facing.
The meeting will kick off with a golf tournament at the Twin Warriors Golf
Club on Sunday, July 13th, followed by opening statements from The
NMDOT Cabinet Secretary Tom Church and the Arizona Department of
Transportation and WASHTO President, John Halikowski. The Keynote
Address will be delivered by Ann Rhoades, President of People Ink and
Co-Founder of Jet Blue Airlines.
Presentations will be grouped under the categories of “Funding,”
“Innovation,” and “Emerging Technology,” and will offer a wide range of
topics, from “Climate Adaptation, and Extreme Weather Resiliency,” to
“New Communications Strategies in Transportation with Social Media.”
Upcoming Events
New Mexico Gets Kidz in Motion
The 10th Annual Kidz in Motion (KIM) Conference will be
hosted in Albuquerque on August 25-28, 2014 at the Hyatt
Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa. The KIM Conference,
with its exclusive focus on child passenger safety, offers
continuing education for all who play a part in keeping
young passengers safe. The objective of the conference is
to provide participants the educational opportunity to gain
the latest information on child passenger safety, including
technological advancements, products, programs, and best
practices.
In previous years, the KIM Conference has drawn
professionals from varying fields, including healthcare,
law enforcement, fire and rescue, and vehicle and child
safety seat manufacturers. This year, presenters from
around the country will gather to educate on topics ranging
from “Hospital Discharge Recommendations for Safe
Transportation of Children,” to “Emerging Automotive
Technologies and their Potential Impact on Child Restraint
Systems.”
A Child Safety Seat inspection clinic will be held on Aug. 25,
from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Kohl’s on 3715 Ellison Dr. NW.
The 2014 KIM Conference is largely sponsored by Chicco
and Toyota. Please visit http://www.kidzinmotion.org for more
information and ways to get involved.
The event is being sponsored by HNTB Corporation, Parsons
Brinckerhoff, and AECOM. The NMDOT Traffic Safety Division is
providing traffic safety-related material to promote NM initiatives.
Save the Date:
2014
Law Enforcement
Conference
NEW FOR THIS YEAR ONLY: The 2014 Law Enforcement Conference starts on TUESDAY,
DECEMBER 2ND and ends on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4TH. It will be held at the Crowne Plaza
Hotel, 1901 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque. For more information please call the New Mexico
Municipal League, (800) 432-2036.
July
Jun 20- Sep 30
100 Days and NIghts of Summer
2-7 Mini Superblitz
Operation DWI/Operation Buckle Down
11 Car Seat Clinic: RIO RANCHO
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Haynes Park, 2006
Grande Blvd SE. No Appointment Needed
12 Car Seat Clinic: SAN FELIPE PUEBLO
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., # 4 Cedar Rd. (North of
Dental & Health Office) No Appointment Needed
19 Car Seat Clinic: RATON
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Miner’s Colfax Medical
Center, 203 Hospital Dr.
No Appointment Needed
Car Seat Clinic: BAYARD
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Bayard Community
Center, 290 Hurley Ave.
No Appointment Needed
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24 Transportation Commission Meeting:
FARMINGTON, (505) 827-5258
August
Jun 20- Sep 30
100 Days and Nights of Summer
2 Car Seat Clinic: LAS VEGAS
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Cornerstone
Church, 2207 7th St. No Appointment
Needed
5 Car Seat Clinic: CLOVIS
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Hilltop Plaza,
320 West 21st St.
No Appointment Needed
8 Car Seat Clinic: RIO RANCHO
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Sandoval Health
Commons, 1500 Idalia Rd.
No Appointment Needed
15-Sep.1 Superblitz
Operation DWI/Operation Buckle Down
21 Transportation Commission Meeting:
GALLUP, (505) 827-5258
25 Car Seat Clinic: ALBUQUERQUE
4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Kohl’s, 3715 Ellison
Dr. NW. No Appointment Needed
27 NMDOT Wellness Fair: SANTA FE
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 1120 Cerrillos Rd.
30 Car Seat Clinic: RIO RANCHO
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.,
Target, 4225 Crestview Dr SE.
No Appointment Needed
September
National Baby Safety Awareness Month
Jun 20- Sep 30
100 Days and Nights of Summer
t r a ffi c s a f e ty ne ws
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September
(continued)
5 Car Seat Clinic: ALBUQUERQUE
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., New Futures School,
5400 Cutler NE. No Appointment Needed
13 Car Seat Clinic: DEMING
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Voiers Park, 300 N.
Country Club . No Appointment Needed
What’s In Your Car?
18 Transportation Commission Meeting: RATON,
(505) 827-5258
Even the most cautions parents and caretakers are not immune to these horrible accidents.
Janette Fennell is president of KidsAndCars.org, a group that tracks car-related deaths involving
children. She states, “90 percent of people in most cases are the most fabulous, doting, caring
parents that have every safety device imaginable to man. We’re talking teachers, lawyers,
doctors. There’s no real commonality to who this happens.”
c on tin u ed f r o m pa g e 1
20 National Seat Check Saturday
Car Seat Clinic: ALBUQUERQUE
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Kohl’s, 6800 Holly
Ave NE (Paseo Del Norte & Louisiana) No
Appointment Needed
Car Seat Clinic: ALBUQUERQUE
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Kohl’s, 3715 Ellison Dr
NW (Cottonwood Corners)
No Appointment Needed
Car Seat Clinic: ALBUQUERQUE
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Kohl’s, 6600 Menaul
Blvd NE (Coronado Mall)
No Appointment Needed
Car Seat Clinic: LAS CRUCES
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Kohl’s, 2500 North
Triviz No Appointment Needed
Car Seat Clinic: SANTA FE
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Kohl’s, 4401 Cerrillos
Rd. No Appointment Needed
Fennell’s organization offers the following tips to eliminate this danger in your household:
1. Never leave children alone in or around cars; not even for a minute.
2. Put something you’ll need, like your cell phone, handbag, employee ID or brief case, etc., on
the floor board in the back seat.
3. Get in the habit of always opening the back door of your vehicle every time you reach your
destination to make sure no child has been left behind.
4. Keep a large stuffed animal in the child’s car seat when it’s not occupied. When the child is
placed in the seat, put the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat. It’s a visual reminder that
anytime the stuffed animal is up front, the child is in the back seat.
5. Make arrangements with your child’s daycare center or babysitter
that you will always call if your child will not be there on a
particular day as scheduled.
6. Keep vehicles locked at all times; even in the garage or driveway
and always set your parking brake.
7. Keys and/or remote openers should never be left within reach of
children.
8. When a child is missing, check vehicles and car trunks
immediately.
9. If you see a child alone in a vehicle, get involved. If they are hot
or seem sick, get them out as quickly as possible. Call 911 or
your local emergency number immediately.
10. Be especially careful about keeping children safe in and around
cars during busy times, schedule changes and periods of crisis
or holidays.
11. Use drive-thru services when available. (restaurants, banks,
pharmacies, dry cleaners, etc.)
12. Use your debit or credit card to pay for gas at the pump.
For additional information about ways to keep children safe in and
around vehicles, visit www.KidsAndCars.org.
The speed limit in both directions
of I-25 from Tramway to Bernalillo
has been increased to 75 mph!
Answers:
Q1: Florida (Sarasota) Q5: Texas
Traffic Laws Trivia
Q7: Which state deemed it illegal to blare a car horn where ice cold
beverages or sandwiches are served after 9 p.m.?
Q8: In which state is it illegal for women to wear a housecoat while driving?
Q2: New Jersey
Q6: Maryland
Q3: Utah
Q7: Arkansas
Q4: Massachusetts
Q8: California
The Traffic Safety News Publication is a federally-funded project from the NMDOT Traffic Safety Division. Contents may be republished
with attribution. The contents of this newletter are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended as an endorsement of
any program. If you would like to submit articles, calendar events, or other items for consideration, please email: [email protected], or
call: (505) 856-6143.
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Design and Content by Michelle Cisewski & Ana Schor
j u l-s e p 2014
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