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Advocates urge Doña Ana County to adopt Vision Zero goal after rise in vulnerable road‑user deaths
Summary
Pedestrian and cycling advocates urged the Doña Ana County Commission on July 8 to adopt a Vision Zero target to eliminate road‑user deaths, citing recent fatalities and a county Safe Streets for All study. Commissioners said they support safer roads but noted county limits on state highway changes and pledged to pursue policy steps and outreach.
Doña Ana County public commenters urged the county commission on July 8 to adopt a Vision Zero goal to eliminate road‑user deaths and to join the Vision Zero network as part of ongoing work under the Safe Streets for All grant.
Donald Wilson, president of Velocruces Inc., told commissioners the county recorded a peak in vulnerable road‑user deaths in 2022 and said the current county study shows progress but not enough. He asked the commission to adopt a Vision Zero target for the Mesilla Valley by Jan. 1, 2035, or to adopt the New Mexico Department of Transportation’s target of 2050, and to direct use of a safe‑systems approach advocated by the county’s grant contractor.
Longino Bustillos, an avid cyclist and member of the vulnerable road users coalition, said he supports the Safe Streets action plan but called for clearer follow‑through and more concrete actions to prevent life‑changing injuries. He cited recent local crashes and called for the commission to “push it a little further” to translate the plan into roadway changes.
Commissioners responded positively to the goal in general and said safer roads are a priority. One commissioner noted many county road corridors are state highways and will require coordination with the New Mexico Department of Transportation. The board said adopting a county policy or formal goal could guide county‑level investments and advocacy with state agencies.
No formal action to adopt a Vision Zero resolution was taken at the July 8 meeting. Commissioners asked staff to continue work on the county’s Safe Streets study and indicated willingness to discuss policy language in a future meeting or workshop.
