The Albuquerque Police Department is cracking down on dangerous drivers. In the last month, they’ve handed out more than 800 speeding tickets.
“We have been, over the last month we’ve been doing high-intensity tact plans. We’ve given out over 800 citations alone just in the month of January,” said APD Lieutenant Zak Cottrell.
Lieutenant Cottrell says APD has seen a rise in traffic fatalities.
“Speed associated with these crashes has increased a little bit, which is leading to more serious injury in crashes,” said Lieutenant Cottrell.
So now they’re trying to prevent them—one speeder at a time.
Thursday, three traffic officers targeted some of the city’s biggest problem areas: Montgomery, Coors and Lead/Coal. Cracking down on traffic violators can lead to a decline in overall crime.
“There are several cities throughout the country that have done studies that if they go out and double their traffic enforcement, that their crime can drop between 30 and 50 percent,” said Lieutenant Cottrell.
He says he and his officers have heard every excuse in the book, but during these tact plans, no excuse is a good excuse.
Right now, APD has 15 officers assigned to the traffic unit. They’re hoping to boost it to 24.
Police say they’ll continue to conduct these tact plans throughout the city. If you would like them to focus on a certain area, call your substation.
