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Albuquerque is the most populous city in New Mexico. The high-altitude city serves as the county seat of Bernalillo County, and it is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 557,169 as of 2014, and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. Albuquerque is home to the University of New Mexico (UNM), Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, and Petroglyph National Monument. The Sandia Mountains run along the eastern side of Albuquerque, and the Rio Grande flows through the city. Albuquerque is also the home of the International Balloon Fiesta, a large gathering of balloons from around the world.
Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of Santa Fe County. Founded by Spanish colonists in 1610, Santa Fe is known as the oldest state capital city in the United States and the oldest city in New Mexico. Santa Fe (meaning "holy faith" in Spanish) had a population of 69,204 in 2012.
The climate of Albuquerque and Santa Fe affects driving and traveling
Albuquerque has a cold desert climate. Albuquerque is in the northern tip of the Chihuahuan Desert, near the edge of the Colorado Plateau.The average annual precipitation is less than half of evaporation, and no month averages below freezing. Albuquerque's climate is usually sunny and dry, with an average of 3,415 sunshine hours per year. Brilliant sunshine defines the region, averaging 278 days a year; periods of variably mid and high-level cloudiness temper the sun at other times. Extended cloudiness is rare. The city has four distinct seasons, but the heat and cold are mild compared to the extremes that occur more commonly in other parts of the country.
Santa Fe experiences a semi-arid climate bordering on a Subtropical highland climate with chilly winters and hot summers. The 24-hour average temperature in the city ranges from 30.3 °F in December to 70.1 °F in July. The city usually receives 6 to 8 snowfalls a year between November and April. The heaviest rainfall occurs in July and August, with the arrival of the North American Monsoon.
Albuquerque and Santa Fe industries and major employers draw people into the city
Top industries in Albuquerque include aerospace and defense, energy technology including solar energy, and semicondcutor and computer chip manufacturing. Major employers in the Albuquerque area include Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratory and Intel Corp.
Santa Fe's economy has been based largely on tourism and state government. As capitol of New Mexico, the government is the largest employer in the area. Santa Fe receives an average of 1.6 million visitors annually. Tourism boosts the city's retail industry, which brings in more than $1 billion annually. Because of the city's proximity to Los Alamos National Laboratory, 45 miles away, scientific research has also become a factor.
Albuquerque's major roadways:
Two interstate highways pass through: I-40 goes east-west and I-25 goes north-south. Where they meet is a large intersection called "The Big I". Albuquerque's Central Ave. is part of old Route 66. Central Avenue is a principal east-west artery, running roughly parallel to I-40 and through Downtown just west of I-25 and past the University of New Mexico just east of I-25.
Santa Fe's major roadways:
New Mexico Route 599 is a state highway located entirely within Santa Fe County. New Mexico State Road 14 is a 54-mile-long (87 km) state road which connects Albuquerque to Santa Fe. Interstate 25 follows the north–south corridor through Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
Air and ground transportation in Albuquerque and Santa Fe help people travel smoothly and safely
Albuquerque is easily accessed through Albuquerque International Sunport, a public airport 3 miles southeast of downtown Albuquerque. It is the largest commercial airport in the state, handling 4,871,901 passengers in 2014. Albuquerque offers bus service through ABQ Ride.
Santa Fe Municipal Airport is ten miles southwest of Santa Fe, in Santa Fe County. Daily commercial flights are offered. The city of Santa Fe provides reliable bus service as well. Go to this link for schedule and fare information.
Find out about recent accidents in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, including:
- Albuquerque-Santa Fe car accidents;
- Albuquerque-Santa Fe motorcycle accidents;
- Albuquerque-Santa Fe pedestrian accidents;
- Albuquerque-Santa Fe bicycle accidents;
- Albuquerque-Santa Fe trucking accidents;
- Albuquerque-Santa Fe bus accidents;
- Albuquerque-Santa Fe train accidents;
- Albuquerque-Santa Fe aircraft accidents.
After a serious accident, you may need information about the major regional hospitals
Albuquerque hospitals include Presbyterian Hospital, Lovelace Medical Center, and University of New Mexico Hospital.
Santa Fe hospitals include CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Medical Center.
After a serious or fatal crash, grief support services can help
When someone has been injured or killed in an accident, grief support services and counselors help those involved begin dealing with stress and loss. It can be comforting to talk with others going through a similar situation, and the road to recovering from the loss may go more smoothly. Learn more here about Albuquerque grief support and Santa Fe grief support services.
Albuquerque and Santa Fe legal information for accident victims
After someone has been injured or killed in a motor-vehicle crash in Albuquerque or Santa Fe, many decisions need to be made immediately and questions need to be answered. For example, how much of the medical costs will be covered by the insurance policy? How does PIP insurance help with medical bills immediately? What if the at-fault driver has no insurance?
Where to find legal assistance after an Albuquerque or Santa Fe injury accident
After a serious crash, it is crucial to get help from an experienced New Mexico personal injury attorney who understands the local regulations and legal standards, who knows how insurance policies work when an injured person is out-of-network, and who can handle all aspects of an insurance claim so the injured person can focus on recovery. If someone is killed in a collision, an Albuquerque - Santa Fe wrongful death lawyer will launch a claim that will begin the process of financial recovery for the family members left behind. Learn more here about what an Albuquerque personal injury attorney can do to help.
Motor vehicle accidents are a regular occurrence in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and across Bernalillo County and Santa Fe County. Many crashes are completely avoidable, caused by drunk drivers or distracted drivers. Whatever the cause, car accidents are a major safety and economic issue for the communities in this vast region.
Motorcycle accidents are a common occurrence in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. These regions popular with motorcyclists, and with so many bikes on the roads, the number of collisions is high, and motorcycle accidents are a major safety and economic issue for riders across New Mexico.
At one point or another, everyone is a pedestrian. As the expense of driving and insuring a vehicle rise, more and more people choose to walk to their destinations. As the number of pedestrians increases, so do the number of pedestrian accidents. To see where the Albuquerque and Santa Fe regions ranks in terms of pedestrian collisions nationally, please go to this National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report.
Albuquerque and Santa Fe are popular bicycling destinations with a history of serious bike accidents
Given the dry weather year-round, bicycling is a popular outdoor sport in New Mexico and the Albuquerque and Santa Fe regions.
Truckers are a growing motorist group using New Mexico’s highways, and commercial trucking accidents occur regularly in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe regions. When a truck crash happens, serious injuries and fatalities are a common result.
Common causes of commercial truck accidents in Albuquerque and Santa Fe
According to IIHS, a large percentage of trucking crashes are caused by:
As mass transit systems grow across New Mexico, bus accidents will occur regularly. When a bus crash happens, serious injuries and fatalities are a common result.
Common causes of bus accidents in Albuquerque and Santa Fe
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, over the past 10 years nationally:
The number of buses involved in fatal crashes decreased from 274 to 251, an 8% drop;
The size and speed of trains brings death and destruction to anyone and anything in their path. The main forms of train accidents are train derailments, train and pedestrian accidents, and train and car accidents.
To learn about train accidents in New Mexico, go to the Federal Railroad Administration site.
While rare compared to other types of motor-vehicle crashes, aircraft accidents do happen regularly, usually with devastating results. Despite significant safety improvements over the past decades, many people each year experience the pain of losing someone in an airplane crash.
In Charlottesville, Virginia, 18-wheeler accidents pose significant risks, often leading to severe injuries and devastating consequences. The sheer size and weight of these commercial trucks amplify the potential for catastrophic collisions on the roads. Accidents involving 18-wheelers can result in life-altering injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and multiple fractures. The victims may also suffer from emotional distress and post-traumatic stress disorder due to the traumatic nature of these accidents.