Bernalillo County Traffic Camera Fails Federal Safety Standards on Frost Road

By RUSSELL HUFFMAN

A Bernalillo County traffic enforcement camera on Frost Road violates the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) by failing to meet the required “advance warning” standards.

Over the past month, numerous area motorists have received speeding citations in the mail and voiced similar complaints about the placement of the camera’s warning signs and the possible inadequate distance between the signs and the enforcement camera. The camera is near the Sandia Park Post Office between Adobe and Wildflower lanes.  

For a 40-mph speed zone, the MUTCD mandates a 305-foot distance between a warning sign and a traffic camera, allowing motorists adequate time to react safely.

On Sunday morning, the East Mountain News measured the distances using a stake and twine and found the Frost Road camera falls well short of MUTCD guidelines: the eastbound approach from the warning sign to the camera is 277 feet, while the westbound approach is only 244 feet.

When county officials announced the program in 2024, they emphasized safety over revenue. However, the county’s contractor, Altumint, appears to employ a series of subtle, almost imperceptible tweaks to the Frost Road camera’s setup.

Altumint promotes itself as a “safety-first” company that uses advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) to monitor traffic. Unlike older systems that only capture license plates, Altumint’s technology identifies a vehicle’s make, model, color, and distinguishing features (such as roof racks or stickers) for greater accuracy in vehicle registration matching.

That same AI is also being leveraged to increase the likelihood that motorists will receive speeding citations.

Seemingly minor AI-driven suggestions—such as omitting images from warning signs, using plain uniform block text in a small size, and strategic sign placement—can all contribute to an increase in citation numbers.

Slowing down Motorist Recognition

Despite evidence that the human brain processes visual images 60,000 times faster than text, Bernalillo County opted for plain block lettering with no variation in size for its warning signs.

Individually, these small tweaks may seem insignificant, but together they substantially increase the chances of citations, ultimately benefiting Altumint financially.

At high speeds, drivers experience “visual tunneling,” where peripheral vision narrows. A distinct graphic—such as a camera icon—is far more likely to catch a driver’s attention than a block of uniform text.

Location, Location, Location

The MUTCD requires that traffic camera warning signs remain visible and not be obscured by roadway curves, other signage, or vegetation. The Frost Road camera is placement is also highly suspect because its warning sign is obscured by a stop sign, small trees and the roadway’s curvature.

Size Matters

Despite research confirming that visual images are processed by the brain much faster than text, Bernalillo County’s warning signs use only plain, uniform lettering.

Studies show that at high speeds, when drivers’ peripheral vision narrows, a graphic—such as a camera icon—is more effective at grabbing attention than uniform text. Humans retain about 65% of visually presented information, versus only 10% for text alone.

Notably, the Frost Road traffic warning sign features the smallest and plainest lettering of any official signage on the roadway.

Sight Distance and Obstructions

Federal engineering standards, as well as the County’s own Technical Standards Section 2.2.2.B, require that signs be placed within a clear “sight triangle.”

If a sign is placed immediately after a sharp curve, it qualifies as a “hidden” sign. Engineers must move such signs further upstream, ensuring visibility before a driver enters the curve.

While the curve preceding the Frost Road camera’s warning sign may not be especially sharp, the camera is still positioned just after the curve, with several obstructions limiting its visibility.

The County selects the general corridors, but Altumint supplies the engineering expertise to determine camera placement. Despite Altumint’s experience with traffic enforcement, there is no indication the company advised the County in ways that would prioritize safety over revenue.

Protesting Your Illegal Citation

If you’ve received an automated speed enforcement citation in Bernalillo County, you generally have three main routes to “protest” or resolve the ticket: requesting a formal hearing, nominating the actual driver, or opting for community service in lieu of the full fine.

1. Request an Administrative Hearing

To formally contest the citation, you can request a hearing before an administrative hearing officer.

• Deadline: You must request this by the response due date listed on your citation (typically within 30 days of issuance).
• The Process: At the hearing, the Sheriff’s Office must prove the violation occurred. You have the right to present evidence and defenses.
• Further Appeal: If you lose the administrative hearing, you have the right to appeal that decision to the District Court within 30 days.

2. Valid Defenses for Protesting

According to County Ordinance 2023-2, the most common legal defenses include:

• Not the Driver: You are the registered owner but were not driving at the time. To use this, you must file a notarized Owner’s Affidavit identifying (nominating) the actual driver.
• Stolen Vehicle: The car was stolen or being used without your permission. You must provide a police report of the theft to use this defense.
• Ownership Transfer: You sold or transferred the vehicle to someone else before the violation date.
• Insufficient Evidence: The photos or video do not clearly show your vehicle or a violation occurring.

3. Alternative: Community Service

If your goal is to avoid the $100 fine rather than fight the “guilt” of the ticket, the county offers a specific alternative:

• The Deal: You can perform 4 hours of community service (often roadside litter pick-up with the BernCo Clean Team).
• The Cost: You pay a reduced administrative fee of $25 instead of the $100 fine.
• Requirement: You must sign up for this option by the due date on your citation.

Contact Information

• Email:speedenforcement@bernco.gov
  • Note: Use this for inquiries regarding hearing requests, community service, or if you have trouble with the online portal.
• Phone: (505) 848-1500 (Bernalillo County Public Works)
• Official Website: bernco.gov/speedenforcement