ALAMOSA — Recently, patrol officers with Alamosa Police Department (APD) issued 47 citations for speeding within a 24-hour-period and, according to Interim Police Chief Joey Spangler, attention on drivers exceeding the speed limit is going to continue, especially in the area that includes Main Street and 6th Street.

“We’re getting into the warmer months where people are starting to be outside more and walking around, especially in Alamosa’s downtown corridor around Main Street and 6th Street,” said Spangler. “That’s an area of focus for us, so, with those months coming up, we’re trying to get this message across to drivers to slow down in these pedestrian safety zones.”

It should also be noted that, in a pedestrian safety zone, fines are doubled for anyone who is cited for exceeding the speed limit. 

In Alamosa, the fine for speeding 10 to 19 mph over the speed limit is $150, which, doubled in a pedestrian zone, is $300. Exceeding the speed limit by 20-39 mph brings a fine of $300. In a pedestrian safety zone, double that amount to $600.

A charge of $25 is also added to each ticket and citations for speeding will be 4 points (10-19) and 6 points (20-39). Losing points on a driver’s license almost automatically impacts other areas, such as rates for insurance.

According to the National Safety Council, in 2022, more than 17% of all traffic deaths were pedestrians. Every age group is vulnerable, but the largest number of pedestrian deaths occur among 55- to 64-year-olds. While children aged 5 to 9 experienced the fewest number of pedestrian deaths, these deaths still represented nearly 14% of all traffic deaths for this age group.