I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
There will be fewer red-light cameras in New Mexico after the state Department of Transportation was given the power to ban red light cameras on any state road, highway or federal interstate. Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces will all be affected by the new directive from the Department of Transportation.
In Albuquerque, the four red light cameras on Coors Boulevard and the red light camera at the Paseo del Norte and Jefferson intersection will be affected. The cameras also take pictures of speeding cars.
“The state transportation commission felt strongly that there was not clear cut evidence that they actually make the roads safer,” New Mexico Department of Transportation Spokesperson Mark Slimp told KRQE yesterday.
Some have said that the cameras are just ways for the city to make money; the Paseo del Norte red light camera is the one where the most drivers have been caught speeding or running red lights.
The change in policy will also affect two red light cameras in Las Cruces and Santa Fe.
“There seems to be many competing studies out there that make confusing claims about the efficacy of the devices currently in use,” State Transportation Commission Chairman Johnny Cope said in a press release. “While the true safety impact of the use of these cameras is still murky at best, one thing has become clear to the Commission — more and more New Mexico cities seem to be putting driver-generated revenues ahead of sound traffic management techniques; frankly, that concept really troubles me.”
Update:
Governor Bill Richardson says that he is on board with the red light camera ban.
“After six years of red light cameras in New Mexico, I remain deeply skeptical of this excessive, big-brother approach to public safety,” Richardson said in a press release. “I fully support the ban of these cameras and vans on state and federal roads and highways, and I commend the Transportation Commission for taking a decisive stand on this issue.”
