1,549 hits
Gallup's rate of traffic accidents 'pretty high'

MedStar Ambulance EMTs Albertina Watts and Alan Ashley check on the condition of a woman who was struck by a vehicle while riding her bicycle Monday morning at the intersection of Fourth Street and Maloney Avenue in Gallup. The unidentified cyclist was wearing a helmet and appeared to have only minor injuries, but was transported to Rehoboth McKinley Christian Hospital to be checked out. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

By Leslie Wood
Staff Writer

GALLUP — City police responded to the scenes of more than 1,500 traffic collisions last year, according to the Gallup Police Department's 2006 Criminal Offenses and Enforcement Report.

Investigator Erin Toadlena-Pablo, a spokeswoman for the agency, described the number as "pretty high" for an area the size of Gallup. She said the actual number of collisions is probably higher than what statistics are published in the report because some people never report minor accidents to authorities.

The numbers do not include collisions investigated by the sheriff's or state police departments. The department did not immediately release collision statistics from 2005 for comparison to 2006's numbers.

Of the 1,549 reported collisions in 2006, 249 involved injuries and one person was killed. According to the report, DWI collisions accounted for nearly 5 percent of the total number of accidents, while 405 collisions were classified as "hit and runs." About 570 of the 1,549 collisions occurred on private property.

Toadlena-Pablo said the newly-released statistics indicate traffic collisions are a problem in the area. The department released a series of recommendations to keep residents safe while driving on McKinley County roadways. Toadlena-Pablo said it is important for drivers to be aware of vehicles that travel around them and never to become distracted by electronics such as cell phones and car radios.

"Cell phones play a big role in accidents," she said.

Drivers should also maintain a two car lengths distance between them and other vehicles. and should ensure an intersection is clear, even if they have a green light to proceed.

If a driver is involved in a collision, he or she should notify the police and exchange insurance information between the involved parties. It is also important to document the scene of a crash by taking photographs, she said.

Drivers should obtain the names and phone numbers of any potential witnesses to the crash in question.

To encourage safe driving, the police department will honor local residents who are seen driving safely along Gallup streets. Each patrol shift recently selected four drivers whose driving merited recognition. The first recipients of the award are Katherine Held, of Gallup; Evangaline Pino, of Ramah; Patrick Hanson, of Vanderwagon and Ann Yazzie, of Gallup.

Toadlena-Pablo said the department is constantly issuing citations for poor driving and would like to recognize drivers who obey traffic laws. The good driving award will be given out periodically throughout the year.