Transportation Performance Management

State Highway Safety Report (2020) - New Mexico

The following provides a summary of the Highway Safety Improvement Program’s (HSIP) safety performance measures and State safety performance targets. As per the Safety PM Final Rule, States are required to set annual safety performance targets in the HSIP annual report for the number of fatalities, rate of fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), number of serious injuries, rate of serious injures per 100 million VMT, and number of non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries. The safety performance targets are based on 5-year rolling averages. States have the flexibility to use the methodology they deem most appropriate. FHWA encourages States to review data sets and trends and consider factors that may affect targets. The safety performance targets should be data-driven, realistic, and attainable and should align with the performance management framework and legislative intent.

A State Department of Transportation (DOT) has met or made significant progress towards meeting its safety performance targets when at least four of the five safety performance targets established under 23 CFR 490.209(a) have been met or the actual outcome is better than the baseline performance. The baseline performance is the 5-year average ending with the year prior to the establishment of the target.

The Basis for Target and Additional Comments are provided by the State in their HSIP Annual Report and have not been edited by FHWA. Any questions about individual State reports should be directed to the respective State DOT. For additional information about each State's HSIP, the complete reports are available at https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/reports/.

More information and resources on Safety Performance Management are available at https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/spm/.

All State data used to populate the State Highway Safety Reports for 2020 are available for download at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/tpm/reporting/state/tpm_dashboard_data.zip.

• 

  Number of Fatalities

• Number of Fatalities	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
  Annual	386	298	405	380	392	425	398
  5-Year Average					372.2	380.0	400.0
  Target (5-Year Average)							401.9	411.6	421.9

• Basis for Number of Fatalities Target

  • 2020 Target
  • 2021 Target
  • 2022 Target

  Although five-year average fatalities rose by a moderate 2.4 percent between 2013 and 2017, preliminary and projected data indicate that fatalities will increase by about 13 percent between 2017 and 2020. Fatalities involving SUVs, pickup trucks and pedestrians are increasing and in 2018, accounted for 51.4 percent of all crash fatalities. Given the prevalence of SUV and pickup truck ownership, and projected increase in fatalities overall, the five-year average projection of 401.9 is determined to be the 2020 target.

  Although five-year average fatalities rose by a moderate 5.5 percent between 2014 and 2018, preliminary and projected data indicate that fatalities will increase by about 10.6 percent between 2018 and 2021. In 2019, fatalities involving large, personal vehicles (SUVs/Pick-up Trucks/ Vans/4-Wheel Drives) or involving pedestrians have increased and accounted for 53.3 percent of all crash fatalities. Given the prevalence of large, personal vehicle ownership, and projected increase in fatalities overall, the five-year average projection of 411.6 is determined to be the 2021 target. The basis for projecting the safety performance targets are based on a linear best fit line that is reliant on actual New Mexico data from prior years. The projection of linear best fit lines was used to obtain the FFY2021 targets. These targets are supported by the 2016 New Mexico SHSP goals since they are data-driven and generated with a collaborative approach.

  The five-year average fatalities increased by 13.2 percent between 2016 and 2020. Using preliminary data for 2020 and projected data for 2021 and 2022, it is expected that fatalities will increase by roughly 13.4 percent between 2018 and 2022. In 2019, fatalities involving large, personal vehicles (Pick-up Trucks/Vans/SUVs/4-Wheel Drives) or involving pedestrians/pedalcyclists accounted for 55.3 percent of all crash fatalities. In 2020, this same focus group accounted for 59.0 percent of all fatalities. Given the prevalence of large, personal vehicle ownership and projected increase in fatalities overall, the five-year average projection of 421.9 fatalities is determined to be the 2022 target. The basis for projecting the safety performance targets are based on a linear best fit line that is reliant on actual New Mexico data from prior years. The projection of linear best fit lines was used to obtain the FFY2022 targets. These targets are supported by the 2016 New Mexico SHSP goals since they are data-driven and generated with a collaborative approach.

  
  

• Data Sources:
  Fatalities: 2014-2019 Final FARS, 2020 FARS Annual Report File
  Targets: 2019-2021 New Mexico HSIP Annual Reports

• 

  Fatality Rate (per 100 million VMT)

• Fatality Rate (per 100 million VMT)	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
  Annual	1.52	1.09	1.45	1.37	1.44	1.53	1.68
  5-Year Average					1.374	1.376	1.494
  Target (5-Year Average)							1.429	1.486	1.645

• Basis for Fatality Rate Target

  • 2020 Target
  • 2021 Target
  • 2022 Target

  Although five-year average fatalities are expected to increase in 2020 from 2017, VMT is also expected to rise, thus the projected five-year average of 1.429 is the 2020 target.

  Five-year average fatalities are expected to increase in 2021 from 2017, thus the projected five-year average of 1.486 is the 2021 target. Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on VMT, the preliminary 2019 VMT value is also used for the 2020 and 2021 VMT values. The basis for projecting the safety performance targets are based on a linear best fit line that is reliant on actual New Mexico data from prior years. The projection of linear best fit lines was used to obtain the FFY2021 targets. These targets are supported by the 2016 New Mexico SHSP goals since they are data-driven and generated with a collaborative approach.

  Five-year average fatalities are expected to increase in 2022 from 2018, thus the projected five-year average of 1.645 fatalities per HMVMT is the 2022 target. The basis for projecting the safety performance targets are based on a linear best fit line that is reliant on actual New Mexico data from prior years. The projection of linear best fit lines was used to obtain the FFY2021 targets. These targets are supported by the 2016 New Mexico SHSP goals since they are data-driven and generated with a collaborative approach.

  
  

• Data Sources:
  Fatalities: 2014-2019 Final FARS, 2020 FARS Annual Report File
  VMT: 2014-2020 FHWA Highway Statistics Series, VM-2 Table
  Targets: 2019-2021 New Mexico HSIP Annual Reports

• 

  Number of Serious Injuries

• Number of Serious Injuries	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
  Annual	1,249	1,329	1,153	1,133	1,057	1,079	829
  5-Year Average					1,184.2	1,150.2	1,050.2
  Target (5-Year Average)							1,074.2	1,030.5	1,030.5

• Basis for Number of Serious Injuries Target

  • 2020 Target
  • 2021 Target
  • 2022 Target

  Five-year average serious injuries are projected to fall by about 7.5 percent between 2017 and 2019, and the State anticipates a continued reduction in serious injuries in 2020. The five-year average projection of 1,074.2 is the 2020 target.

  Five-year average serious injuries are projected to fall by about 13.2 percent between 2018 and 2021, and the State anticipates a continued reduction in serious injuries in 2020. The five-year average projection of 1,030.5 is the 2021 target. The basis for projecting the safety performance targets are based on a linear best fit line that is reliant on actual New Mexico data from prior years. The projection of linear best fit lines was used to obtain the FFY2021 targets. These targets are supported by the 2016 New Mexico SHSP goals since they are data-driven and generated with a collaborative approach.

  Preliminary suspected serious injury numbers show a decrease of roughly 23% from 2019 to 2020. This can partially be attributed to lower VMT in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to adjust to these fluctuations, we will use the targets that were set in the summer of 2020, prior to any COVID-19 considerations and impacts, leaving the state with a five-year average projection of 1,030.5 as the 2022 target. The basis for projecting the safety performance targets are based on a linear best fit line that is reliant on actual New Mexico data from prior years. The projection of linear best fit lines was used to obtain the FFY2022 targets. These targets are supported by the 2016 New Mexico SHSP goals since they are data-driven and generated with a collaborative approach.

  
  

• Data Sources:
  Serious Injuries: 2021 New Mexico HSIP Annual Report
  Targets: 2019-2021 New Mexico HSIP Annual Reports

• 

  Rate of Serious Injuries (per 100 million VMT)

• Rate of Serious Injuries (per 100 million VMT)	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
  Annual	4.93	4.84	4.13	4.07	3.87	3.89	3.49
  5-Year Average					4.368	4.160	3.890
  Target (5-Year Average)							3.820	3.722	3.824

• Basis for Serious Injury Rate Target

  • 2020 Target
  • 2021 Target
  • 2022 Target

  Five-year average serious injury rates are projected to continue falling, thus the five-year average projection of 3.820 is the 2020 target.

  Five-year average serious injury rates are projected to continue falling, thus the five-year average projection of 3.722 is the 2021 target. The basis for projecting the safety performance targets are based on a linear best fit line that is reliant on actual New Mexico data from prior years. The projection of linear best fit lines was used to obtain the FFY2021 targets. These targets are supported by the 2016 New Mexico SHSP goals since they are data-driven and generated with a collaborative approach.

  The five-year average projection set in the 2021 PM Targets Report of 3.824 A-Injuries per HMVMT is also the 2022 target. Preliminary VMT numbers show a decrease of roughly 15% from 2019 to 2020, which can partially be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to adjust to these fluctuations, we will use the targets that were set in the summer of 2020, prior to any COVID-19 considerations and impacts. The basis for projecting the safety performance targets are based on a linear best fit line that is reliant on actual New Mexico data from prior years. The projection of linear best fit lines was used to obtain the FFY2022 targets. These targets are supported by the 2016 New Mexico SHSP goals since they are data-driven and generated with a collaborative approach.

  
  

• Data Sources:
  Serious Injuries: 2021 New Mexico HSIP Annual Report
  VMT: 2014-2020 FHWA Highway Statistics Series, VM-2 Table
  Targets: 2019-2021 New Mexico HSIP Annual Reports

• 

  Number of Non-Motorized Fatalities and Serious Injuries

• Number of Non-Motorized Fatalities and Serious Injuries	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
  Annual	200	216	191	197	205	209	175
  5-Year Average					201.8	203.6	195.4
  Target (5-Year Average)							204.0	200.0	190.6

• Basis for Number of Non-Motorized Fatalities and Serious Injuries Target

  • 2020 Target
  • 2021 Target
  • 2022 Target

  Five-year average non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries are projected to rise by about 5 percent over the next three years. The five-year average projection of 204.0 is the 2020 target.

  Five-year average non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries are projected to remain relatively constant over the next two years from 2020 to 2021. The five-year average projection of 200.0 is the 2021 target. The basis for projecting the safety performance targets are based on a linear best fit line that is reliant on actual New Mexico data from prior years. The projection of linear best fit lines was used to obtain the FFY2021 targets. These targets are supported by the 2016 New Mexico SHSP goals since they are data-driven and generated with a collaborative approach.

  Five-year average non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries are projected to remain relatively constant over the next two years from 2021 to 2022. The five-year average projection of 190.6 is the 2022 target. The basis for projecting the safety performance targets are based on a linear best fit line that is reliant on actual New Mexico data from prior years. The projection of linear best fit lines was used to obtain the FFY2022 targets. These targets are supported by the 2016 New Mexico SHSP goals since they are data-driven and generated with a collaborative approach.

  
  

• Data Sources:
  Fatalities: 2014-2019 Final FARS, 2020 FARS Annual Report File
  Serious Injuries: 2021 New Mexico HSIP Annual Report
  Targets: 2019-2021 New Mexico HSIP Annual Reports

Additional Comments

2020 Comments:

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Statewide Planning Bureau (SPB) is responsible for coordinating the setting of Performance Measure targets. The NMDOT undertook a coordinated effort with the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), the HSP team and other stakeholders to set the targets. 1. Numerous internal meetings took place in winter of 2019 between the NMDOT Statewide Planning Bureau (SPB) and Traffic Safety Division, which is responsible for the HSP, to review and analyze crash data and trends. NMDOT contracts with the University of New Mexico (UNM) to maintain the state’s crash database. 2. On May 21, 2019, the NMDOT Safety Division held a meeting to discuss and adopt the targets required in the HSP. 3. On June 7, 2019, SPB staff emailed a draft of this report, outlining the adopted state PM1 targets, to the MPOs for review and comments. Santa Fe, El Paso and Mid Region MPOs responded that they supported the targets. The other MPOs did not submit a response. 4. On July 19, 2019, the NMDOT Safety Committee reviewed and approved the 2020 Safety Targets as outlined in this report. These targets will be reported in the 2019 HSIP Annual Report. 5. The MPOs have until February 27, 2020 to adopt the NMDOT PM 1 targets or set their own quantifiable targets. In setting the FFY2019 safety performance targets, NMDOT and stakeholders did not rely solely on the data projections, but used the data in combination with their discussions regarding other relevant factors and their assessment of the potential safety impacts of various strategies and projects. NMDOT worked with UNM to determine methodologies and assumptions required to set the targets. These are as follows: • NMDOT uses Excel to plot a linear best fit line based on 5-years of actual data to project for future years. NMDOT 2020 PM 1 Targets Report – 7/19/19 FINAL Page 2 of 4 • Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) - The Annual VMT for 2017 is from the FHWA Highway Statistics Series (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2017/pdf/vm2.pdf). The preliminary Annual VMT for 2018 is provided by the NMDOT Asset Management and Planning Division, Data Management Bureau. Please note that the VMT includes all interstate ramps. • Crash Data - 2017 is finalized, 2018 is preliminary.

Safety Performance Target Assessment

PLEASE NOTE: Each State’s safety performance target assessment is based on its own State-specific target methodology and program philosophy. Therefore, conclusions should not be drawn based only on the information in the Safety Performance Target Assessment Summary table. For example, the State may have set aggressive targets, and not met those targets, while another State may have set more easily attainable targets, and met those targets. FHWA understands that each State’s safety program is unique and therefore does not prescribe a methodology for States to set targets. States have the flexibility to use the methodology they deem most appropriate when setting their safety performance targets.