Las Cruces Police issued 190 citations to drivers and pedestrians during traffic safety operations held the past three days. The majority of the citations – 62 tickets – went to drivers who were using a cell phone while operating their vehicle. Another 29 citations were issued to drivers without proof of insurance, 22 for motorists not using a seat belt and 20 for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Police also arrested four people on misdemeanor offenses and issued three criminal citations during the operations.
The traffic enforcement projects were held April 24 near the intersection of Spruce Avenue and Telshor Boulevard, April 24 on Valley Drive near Bruins Lane, April 25 on Spruce Avenue near Sierra Middle School and April 26 on University Avenue. Each operation lasted between one and three hours.
The primary focus of Thursday’s operation on University Avenue was drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks but officers also cited nine pedestrians for crossing mid-block, or what’s more commonly referred to as jaywalking.
The Las Cruces Police Department plans additional traffic enforcement operations in the near future.