Rio Rancho’s 45-day warning period for its new automated speed enforcement cameras ended Jan. 27, as drivers will now face $100 fines for violations.
The Rio Rancho Police Department issued 15,114 warning citations since deploying 10 new mobile speed monitoring units Dec. 13, according to the department. Now, violations will result in actual fines.
The new equipment replaced vehicle-based cameras that had been part of the city’s Safe Traffic Operations Program, known as STOP, since 2011. The program uses mobile units instead of the eight SUVs previously equipped with radar and cameras.
Violations are recorded when vehicles travel 11 mph or more above posted speed limits, or 5 mph over in school zones. After vendor Verra Mobility captures and reviews evidence, sworn officers from the Rio Rancho Police Department must approve violations before notices are mailed to registered vehicle owners.
The 10 camera locations include intersections at:
- Nicklaus and Broadmoor
- Unser and Westside
- Unser and Paseo Del Volcan
- Loma Colorado and Broadmoor
- Idalia and Loma Colorado
- Rockaway and Pyrite
- Golf Course and 16th Avenue
- Unser and Black Hills
- King Boulevard and Lake Valley
- Kim and Saratoga
Unit placement is based on police speeding data and citizen input.
The new cameras drew attention from residents after briefly appearing in December. Community members discussed the equipment in a Facebook group called “Where’s The Damn Van?- Rio Rancho,” which tracks the city’s speed enforcement program.
The program is violator-funded, with Verra Mobility providing equipment and maintenance. Vehicle owners must ensure the New Mexico Department of Motor Vehicles has current address information to receive violation notices. Responses to notices must be mailed seven to 10 working days before due dates to avoid late fees.