View of commuter traffic just after 5 p.m. Tuesday on N.M. 4. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Improving traffic safety seems like a herculean task. Whether it is controlling vehicles’ speed, minimizing distracted driving or preventing driving under the influence, it all boils down to one question: how can human behavior be effectively changed?
Police Chief Dino Sgambellone emphasized the answer lies in the entire community pitching in to help motivate change.
“A lot goes into the community’s traffic safety strategy,” he said. “It is not just the police. It is a combination of enforcement, education, prevention … it takes a community to understand the scope of the problem and really make a conscious effort to change behavior.”
In his recent report for crime statistics in the first two quarters of 2025, it showed that there has been a total of 88 accidents reported during the first two quarters, including 66 with damages over $500, eight with damages under $500 and 14 injury accidents. Evaluating the effectiveness of traffic safety efforts can be challenging, Sgambellone said, given the low volume particularly when looking at subsets of data. Still, he noted there are positive trends being noticed in comparison to other years. For instance, animal versus car collisions is down. So far this year, there have been 19 incidents compared to 76 animal and vehicular crashes last year. Sgambellone noted that the peak season for this type of car crash is in the fall.
Looking at the recent Los Alamos Police Department’s reports of weekly traffic accidents, there are a few commonalities. Many of the accidents occur on Trinty Drive and Diamond Drive and distracted driving shows up frequently as the cause behind the accident.
It makes sense that these two main thoroughfares would see a large portion of the traffic accidents, Sgambellone said, “When you consider that a large portion of accidents occur because of distracted driving then the more people you have in a particular area or intersection makes it statistically more likely to result in more accidents. We have looked at and changed some lighting – the timing of lighting, the order of lighting … clearly, it is the volume of traffic that contributes to the increased number.”
While the reason behind common locations for accidents is clear, the reason for distracted driving is murky, he said.
“A challenge for us is we may know that an accident is a result of distracted driving, but we don’t always know what type of distraction led to the accident,” Sgambellone explained. “From a preventative perspective we do things like contribute to driver’s education at the high school. Not only we would be discussing things like distracted driving … but what to do when stopped by the police – what to expect, what not to do. Anywhere we can contribute to education, prevention …we are all into that.”
“It’s about changing behaviors, he added, “I think … one of the important pieces of adopting that distracted driving ordinance was to just send that message that this is an important issue. I think the community as a whole is very tired of seeing these serious accidents and knowing that a large majority are the result of distracted driving – it just seems avoidable. And the speed itself contributes to the severity of the accident. Traffic safety as a whole remains a significant priority for us.”
To improve safety, several measures are being taken.
In the spring, Los Alamos County Council approved an ordinance prohibiting distracted driving. According to a staff report included in the April 8 council agenda, this ordinance encourages traffic safety and promotes awareness of the risks associated with distracted driving. Ordinance prohibits operating a vehicle while engaging in an activity that interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle. This includes using a handheld mobile communication device whether the vehicle is in motion or not, unless it is pulled over to the side of or off an active roadway
Whether or not the Ordinance has produced positive results isn’t yet known, he said, pointing out that with any new ordinance, there is usually a grace period, and it is up to the officer’s discretion.
Still, “I don’t think we have been light on enforcement overall…,” Sgambellone said.
In addition, during the April budget hearings, council approved the purchase of speed cameras for $300,000. Also, staff including a sergeant and police officers will be assigned to a newly formed traffic unit. Sgambellone said with staff promotion assessments underway, the assignment of personnel to this unit is expected to occur in August. When the cameras will be purchased and operational is not yet known.
He added he will be meeting with the Department of Energy (DOE) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) officials this week on the speed camera project as it relates to installing cameras on LANL property.
Sgambellone explained purchasing and installing the cameras is a complicated process, which includes procurement, a potential memorandum of understanding with DOE, acquisition and placement.
“There’s a lot that goes into the project.”
Once the cameras are procured, he said the traffic unit will pick up the responsibility of this project. As far as LANL’s efforts to curb bad driving behaviors, Sgambellone said he hasn’t been part of their assessment efforts but noted the laboratory plays an important role in curbing poor driving.
“Our partnership with LANL and DOE on this issue is very important and it is a win-win for both us and them,” he said. “It will allow for, in my view, enhanced safety particularly for heavy ingress and egress periods of commuters.”
He added the cameras will be utilized throughout the County to improve traffic safety for all forms of transportation including cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. The plan is to have fixed and mobile speed cameras.
With respect to LANL and DOE, there are two areas of concern: the truck route and Pajarito Road, Sgambellone said.
“If we can have some sort of fixed solution along those corridors, I think those will have an immediate and long-lasting impact … along with the rest of the County. We will be building our capacity to address problem areas … we need mobile solutions to move these cameras in and out of certain areas. So, it is really a combination of those two strategies.”
Once installed, Sgambellone explained how the cameras will work. The company providing the cameras will be responsible for the administrative end of the project, he said. It will also filter out any poor-quality images. The company will then send images and videos for the police’s traffic unit to review and determine if any meet a defensible standard. If any do, the company will send a letter with a link so the violator can review the photograph or video. A process will also be provided to either pay the fine or appeal. Sgambellone said fines are capped at $100 per incident, per state law.
Officers assigned to the traffic unit will have a wide range of responsibilities, including review of camera images as well as field enforcement, he said.
While the ordinance, speed cameras and traffic unit are being put in place to help reduce poor driving, Sgambellone noted that the community has a part to play, too.
“Everybody that uses the roadway needs to be conscious and alert of their surroundings,” he said. “Pay attention not only to what you are doing but what others are doing on the roadway. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted. Be a defensive driver, walker, and cyclist. Don’t drive aggressively, recklessly, certainly don’t drive under the influence – all of this contributes to a safer roadway system.”
Los Alamos Fire Chief Wendy Servey echoed that statement, noting in the event of a traffic accident, and traffic is slowing and sirens can be heard, people should be situationally aware that emergency vehicles may be approaching and clear the roadway safely.
Sgamebllone said he feels the public is on board to improve traffic safety.
“From the feedback I get from the community, I think the community wants this and is ready for this,” Sgambellone said. “Obviously, we want to see positive outcomes and I think we will. But along with that I think we are being responsive to what the community feels is important with respect to traffic safety.”
So, with the partnerships, resources and personnel coming into place, Sgambellone said he is feeling optimistic about the herculean task of improving driving behavior on Los Alamos’ roadways.
“I’m proud of the partnerships we have, and I look forward to things to come,” he said.
Servey agreed, saying, “We support any traffic safety initiatives in the County that increase safety for our citizens, visitors and responders.”