Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE)
Everyone deserves to be safe while traveling our roadways in Albuquerque. Driving the speed limit is one way to help people get from point a to point b safely. Speed increases both the likelihood of a crash and the severity of the crash.
Automated speed enforcement is an effective tool to make roads safer and enforce posted speed limits. Automated speed enforcement programs have been shown to reduce vehicle speeds, crashes, injuries and fatalities. Automated enforcement does not require traffic stops, and can improve safety for all road users in a neutral manner.
Vehicles speeding through automated enforcement areas may receive a $100 ticket citation. Sample citation.
Read the Automated Speed Enforcement Ordinance O-23-78. Read the Automated Speed Enforcement regulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is automated speed enforcement?
Automated speed enforcement units are fixed radar devices equipped with cameras to monitor excessive speed in a particular area. The devices are designed to keep our communities safer by issuing citations to speeders who endanger pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers. Other cities in New Mexico and across the United States have used similar technology with positive results.
How does automated speed monitoring equipment work?
Fixed units are placed in various areas of the City, based on crash and traffic data. Radar in these units is activated when a vehicle exceeds the set enforcement speed, which triggers a camera to capture images of the car and license plate and for the unit to measure the speed of the offending driver.
How are camera locations decided?
The City uses a data-driven approach to determine the appropriate placement of speed safety cameras. Data includes speeding and crashes, the Vision Zero High Fatal and Injury Network (HFIN), and the Vulnerability Index. Council Districts and community feedback are also considered. Once a potential camera location is identified, there are site-specific feasibility requirements that must be considered. For example, access to power, sight distance, and ensuring there are no camera lens obstructions.
Where are the cameras located?
- Gibson between Carlisle and San Mateo (eastbound) Live 4/25/2022
- Gibson between Carlisle and San Mateo (westbound) Live 4/25/2022
- Unser at Tower (northbound) Live 6/10/2022
- San Mateo just north of Montgomery (southbound) Live 8/01/2022
- Lomas at Virginia (westbound) Live 8/01/2022
- Unser at Flor Del Sol (just north of Dellyne) (northbound) Live 8/01/2022
- Coal at Cornell (eastbound) Live 8/08/2022
- Central in between Tingley and New York (westbound) Live 8/15/2022
- Montgomery & Jennifer (westbound) Live 3/13/2023
- Montgomery & Julie (eastbound) Live 3/13/2023
- 98th between Tower and Central (northbound) Live 3/29/2023
- Avenida Cesar Chavez and Walter (eastbound) Live 4/12/2023
- Eubank just north of Central (northbound) Live 4/26/2023
- Ellison & Black Diversion Channel Trail crossing (eastbound) Live 5/5/2023
- Lomas near 3rd Street (eastbound) Live 5/12/2023
- Wyoming & just north of Academy (northbound) Live 5/23/2023
- Coors between Montaño and Paseo del Norte (northbound) Live 9/15/2023
- Coors just south of Ellison (southbound) Live 9/22/2023
- Paseo del Norte west of Louisiana (westbound) Live 12/05/2023
- Broadway just north of Iron (southbound) Live 6/26/2024
How do I know that the cameras are working correctly?
The Automated Speed Enforcement systems are individually tested and certified. View system test certificates. View calibration certificates. View maintenance instructions.
How long are calibration certificates valid?
Calibration certificates are valid for one year after the inspection date.
Who reviews my fine notice before it is mailed?
Prior to a fine notice being issued, the Albuquerque Police Department will review all footage provided from the automated speed enforcement cameras as provided by the vendor. If the Albuquerque Police Department determines that a violation has occurred, the officer shall cause a fine notice to be delivered to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Where will the fine notice be mailed?
The fine notice will be sent to the address of the registered owner or nominee of the fine determined by address records received by:
- The Department of Motor Vehicles;
- The Albuquerque Police Department Records;
- Documents reasonably relied on by police officers; and
- Information provided in the Owner’s Affidavit.
How is the driver selected?
ASE citations are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle, as determined by the above sources. The registered owner may not be the person driving the vehicle at the time. ASE citations are sent to the owner of the vehicle to resolve. Any person may pay the fine or pursue alternative resolution without reassigning ownership of the citation through the owner’s affidavit process. Nominating a new driver does not resolve the infraction against the vehicle, only payment or the successful alternative resolution of the citation will resolve the citation assigned to the vehicle.
How will I know if I received an Automated Speed Enforcement System Fine Notice?
If a vehicle receives an Automated Speed Enforcement System Fine Notice, it will be mailed to the address of the registered owner, which is determined by records with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Vehicle owners are responsible for maintaining up-to-date records with the MVD and ensure their mail is forwarded correctly from previous addresses. You may request a copy of your citation through our online form.
What is considered a default?
A registered owner is in default if they do not timely respond to the fine notice (i.e. failure to pay the fine, request a hearing, nominate a driver, or request and complete community service).
What happens if I default?
An Automated Speed Enforcement fine notice is a civil violation. In the event of a default, the city will enforce debt collections. This is not a criminal violation; therefore, a default does not result in a bench warrant or points on a driver’s license.
What happens if I default on two (2) or more Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) system fines?
If the registered owner is in default for two (2) or more ASE system fines, the registered owner may be subject to enforceable penalties including but not limited to a parking citation, immobilization, and/or impoundment of their vehicle if their vehicle is found to be parked on any street or roadway within the city; on or in any City-owned parking facility; on or in any City-managed parking facility; or on any other City-owned real property within the city limits (8-5-1-43 ROA 1994).
What does the city do with the money collected?
The revenue generated through Automated Speed Enforcement will be retained and distributed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3-18-17(A)(2) NMSA 1978 (2009), which requires half be remitted to the State and the other half is retained by the municipality to offset reasonable costs directly related to administering the program. Any remaining funds will be used for Vision Zero traffic safety initiatives.
Does the company providing the equipment make more money if more tickets are issued?
No. The Automated Speed Enforcement Ordinance specifically requires that any vendor that the City contracts with have a flat fee structure and not a per-citation fee structure.
Do plate blockers and sprays work?
No. First and foremost, utilizing many of these products is illegal. Moreover, with the industrial flash technology, most of the sprays actually serve to enhance the image of a reflective surface like a license plate, making the evidence even more prosecutable.
Is this more "Big Brother?"
Cameras have become a part of our everyday existence. If you shop at a store, use an ATM or fill up your car, you're on camera. When you choose to travel on public streets, you have a responsibility to operate in a safe and legal way. Automated traffic enforcement technology is simply one tool available to the community to ensure that citizens are driving in a safe and responsible manner for the benefit of themselves and those around them. Only violators are captured with high-resolution images and video.
What is the difference between automated speed enforcement and red-light cameras?
Fixed automated speed enforcement units are placed in areas known for high-speed driving and high numbers of injury and fatal crashes. Automated speed enforcement units capture speeding violations. Red light cameras were stationary, positioned at intersections, and captured red light violations. The city does not have red light cameras.
Will the cameras replace officers?
No. With the use of automated speed enforcement cameras, there will be less direct interaction between law enforcement and speeders, however police officers will still stop offenders when they witness speeding or reckless driving behaviors. Automated speed enforcement will allow police officers to focus more on responding to violent crime.
Will automated speed enforcement target over-policed communities?
No. The locations of the fixed speed units will be selected based on data from the Vision Zero Action Plan. This data shows the areas across Albuquerque which have the highest numbers of traffic fatalities and injuries in conjunction with the areas with the highest prevalence of speeders.
Because the radar technology is triggered by speed, the automated speed enforcement units will be an unbiased approach to responding to speeding.
Do the cameras take a picture of every vehicle that drives by?
No. The units only take pictures of vehicles that are exceeding the enforcement speed.
What is Vision Zero?
Vision Zero is a commitment to create safer streets for all, whether walking, biking, driving, or taking transit, and regardless of age or ability. It is used around the world to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all. Mayor Keller made a commitment to Vision Zero and signed an Executive Order committing the City of Albuquerque to work toward the goal of zero traffic deaths by 2040. In May 2021, the City of Albuquerque released its Vision Zero Action Plan, which lays out steps that the City, working with agency and community partners, will take to reduce traffic fatalities and make our streets safer. Automated Speed Enforcement was identified in the Action Plan since safe speeds are a core principle of Vision Zero’s approach since we know from comprehensive data that humans are less likely to survive high-speed crashes.
Resolving an Automated Speed Enforcement Citation
You may view your violation images and video and pay your fine at ZeroFatality.com by entering your plate number and password from your citation. More payment information is available at the Pay Your Citation page, or by calling the Albuquerque Automated Enforcement Division Customer Service Call Center toll free at 866-247-8157. To resolve your citation through community service, you must first select the community service option on ZeroFatality.com. For support completing your community service, please refer to our Community Service Guide.
Scam Alert: The City of Albuquerque and the Albuquerque Police Department will never contact an individual requesting money or payments for automated speed enforcement over the phone. Please disregard these calls and messages. If you believe you have been contacted by someone who is impersonating an officer, please call 242-COPS to report.
Automated Speed Enforcement Forms
Automated Speed Enforcement Statistics
The bar graph shows the monthly Automated Speed Enforcement warnings and citations issued from April 25, 2022 (when the program started) to present. As the City added more speed safety cameras throughout 2022 and 2023, citations increased each month. The City currently has 20 speed safety cameras and at this time is not adding additional cameras. Starting September 6, 2022, the City stopped issuing warnings and began only issuing citations. The City issued 10,749 warnings. Staff update the bar graph approximately every quarter. Between April 25, 2022 and March 31, 2025, the City issued 362,055 citations.
A total of 11,766 Community Service hours have been completed since the program started.
Automated Speed Enforcement System Information
Contact Us
Nicholas Vottero
Department of Municipal Development | ASE Program Manager
Office: 505.768.3842
Email: [email protected]