NMDOT reports slight decrease in traffic fatalities in '25

In 2025, there were 454 traffic fatalities reported in New Mexico. This marks about a 2% increase from 2024, 445 fatalities, according to a University of New Mexico and New Mexico Department of Transportation report.

Bernalillo County led the way with 113 traffic fatalities — up about 7.7% from 2024, 122 traffic fatalities — followed by McKinley and Doña Ana counties with 38 and 35, respectively.

"We are concerned by every fatality and an increase year over year is particularly concerning," said Shannon Glendenning, NMDOT traffic safety division director, in an email. "This is why we work on continuous improvement of our traffic safety program that involves behavior change marketing on the top contributing factors to fatal crashes, including impaired driving, distracted driving and safe speeds."

A couple of categories that saw decreases were alcohol-related and pedestrian-related traffic fatalities. 

There were 129 alcohol-related traffic deaths in 2025, marking a 27.5% decrease from 2024, 178. 

"There has been growing efforts by multiple partners for decades on this issue and we are thrilled to see the efforts of NMDOT, along with law enforcement agencies, and local DWI programs impacting the decrease of alcohol-involved fatalities," she said.

As for pedestrian-related traffic deaths, there were 87 reported in 2025. This was 14.7% less than 2024, 102, according to the report.

In 2026, Glendenning said she would like to see "a continued decrease in our pedestrian fatalities" and to continue working toward eliminating roadway fatalities through the state's Target Zero initiative.

SECOND AND RIO BRAVO LANE CLOSURE: Bernalillo County is reminding drivers that a westbound lane by the Second Street and Rio Bravo Boulevard intersection will be closed until Feb. 21 so crews can replace deteriorated concrete.

The work is the latest phase in the Rio Bravo project that also includes: widening Rio Bravo from four lanes to six lanes, adding pedestrian facilities on the north side of Rio Bravo, adding Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant improvements to the south side trail and rebuilding the railroad crossing that accommodates the new roadway width.

The project is expected to be completed by May, Bernalillo County spokesperson Melissa Smith said.

BRIDGE REOPENS: NMDOT recently finished repairing an Interstate 10 bridge by exit 24 in Lordsburg after it was damaged by a semi-truck hauling an excavator in March.

The driver was cited after "it was determined he did not double-check the height of his load, causing him to crash into the bridge," New Mexico State Police spokesperson Ricardo Breceda said in an email.

He pleaded guilty, paid a $510 fine and was sentenced to 30 days of unsupervised probation, Breceda said.

BRIDGE UPDATE: Work on an 85-year-old northern New Mexico bridge could be completed in the spring.

The Oñate Bridge in Española — built in 1941 — was shutdown in June 2025 so engineers could address concerns about riverbed erosion around one of the bridge's piers.

The project contract has been signed and materials are being ordered. Once they arrive, work will take about two months to complete, NMDOT District 5 spokesperson Jim Murray said in a news release.

The city of Espanola and NMDOT will host a town hall meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Misión Museum y Convento (101 Calle de Las Españolas) to discuss the project.

Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.