A Traffic Division within the Municipal Police Department is
established. (*)
The Traffic Division shall be under the control of an officer
of the Police Department, and this officer shall be appointed by and
directly responsible to the Chief of Police or a person designated
by the Chief of Police. (*)
The Traffic Division, with such assistance as may be rendered
by the other divisions within the Police Department, shall:
(1)
Enforce traffic regulations applicable to street traffic;
(2)
Make arrests for traffic violations;
(3)
Investigate accidents;
(4)
Cooperate with the Traffic Engineer and other City officials in the
administration of traffic conditions; and
(5)
Carry out those duties imposed on it by this chapter. (*)
A.
The Traffic Division or the Police Department shall keep a record
of traffic accidents, warnings, arrests, convictions, complaints and
alleged violations of this chapter or state vehicle laws reported
for each person within its jurisdiction.
B.
The records shall be filed alphabetically under the name of the person
concerned.
C.
Each person's record shall:
(1)
Include a record of the final disposition of all alleged violations
of this chapter or state vehicle laws;
(2)
Show all types of violations and the total of each type; and
(3)
Accumulate during at least a five-year period and shall be maintained
complete for at least the most recent five-year period. (*)
A.
The Traffic Division shall maintain a suitable system of filing traffic
accident reports.
B.
Accident reports or cards referring to them shall be filed alphabetically
by location. (*)
C.
Every law enforcement officer who, in the regular course of duty,
investigates a motor vehicle accident of which report must be made
as required in this chapter either at the time of and at the scene
of the accident or thereafter by interviewing participants or witnesses
shall, within 24 hours after completing such investigation, forward
a written report of such accident to the Division.
D.
The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in bodily
injury to or death of any person or total property damage to an apparent
extent of $500 or more shall within five days after the accident forward
a written report of the accident to the Division. (66-7-207 NMSA 1978)
Whenever accidents at a particular location become numerous,
the Traffic Division shall cooperate with the Traffic Engineer in
conducting studies of such accidents and determining remedial measures.
(*)
The Traffic Division shall prepare an annual traffic report
which shall be filed with the Administrator. The report shall contain,
but not be limited to, the following information:
The Traffic Engineering Department is established. The Department
shall be under the control of the Traffic Engineer who shall be appointed
by the Administrator and who shall exercise the powers and duties
provided in this chapter. (*)
The Traffic Engineer shall:
(1)
Determine the installation and proper timing and maintenance of traffic-control
devices;
(2)
Conduct engineering analyses of traffic accidents and devise remedial
measures;
(3)
Conduct engineering investigations of traffic conditions;
(4)
Cooperate with other officials in the development of methods to improve
traffic conditions; and
(5)
Carry out such additional powers and duties as are imposed by municipal
ordinances. (*)
A.
The Administrator may make and enforce temporary or experimental
regulations to cover emergencies or special conditions, but no such
temporary or experimental regulation shall remain in effect for more
than 90 days.
B.
The Administrator may test traffic-control devices under actual traffic
conditions. (*)
