Durangoans have easy access to the south.
We can travel on U.S. 550 to Bernalillo, and then a short distance on I-25 into Albuquerque and its airport, or to its soccer fields, zoo or specialty auto dealers.
The highway is a shoulder-less two lanes almost to the New Mexico state line, and then becomes a divided four lane highway with higher speed limits beginning south of Bloomfield.
While the narrow Colorado portion of U.S. Highway 550 is dangerous and is on the Colorado Department of Transportation’s list to widen extensively, this warning applies to the Bloomfield to Bernalillo portion of the highway, too.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reported Sunday, in a story reprinted in the Durango Herald, that in reviewing statistics, U.S. Highway 550 has an accident and fatality rate among the highest in that state, rivaling high volume east-west U.S. Interstate 40 with its truck traffic across New Mexico.
While Highway 550 carries traffic from Durango, it is its link to Farmington and San Juan County, until the energy slump, that provided most of the traffic.
U.S. 550 in New Mexico was significantly upgraded in 2001, after being two lanes and of inconsistent design and condition, to become four lanes with a 70 mph speed limit.
It is the high speed limit, and its narrow median between the north and southbound lanes, that sets the stage for the accidents and fatalities, according the New Mexican.
The spacing, with a rumble strip, is less than it should be, and the 70 mph speed limit is too high. Alcohol and drowsiness affect drivers.
In mid-May, Jimmie and Melissa Crawford and their two young children were killed by a driver in a truck who hit their vehicle head on.
They were well known in Farmington and La Plata County where Jimmie had been a firefighter.
Whether a lower speed limit across the very open spaces of northwestern New Mexico would be respected without extensive patrolling is uncertain, but more substantial highway dividers such as concrete or cables, as the New Mexican suggests, might help. The dividers could be placed in high-accident locations first, and then expanded if necessary to provide additional safety.
In the meantime, defensive driving on the highway is critical. Stay somewhat below the speed limit when there is other traffic, and stay alert, especially at night.
The highway reconstruction in 2001 made a big difference in safety, but the danger is still there.
