No person shall drive a vehicle at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. Consistent with the foregoing, every person shall drive at a safe and appropriate speed when approaching and crossing an intersection or railroad grade crossing, when approaching and going around a curve, when approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding street and when special hazards exist with respect to pedestrians or other traffic or by reason of weather or highway conditions. (*)
A. 
No person shall drive a vehicle on a street or detour at a speed greater than:
(1) 
Fifteen miles per hour on all streets when passing a school while children are going to or leaving school, and when the school zone is properly posted;
(2) 
Thirty miles per hour in any business or residence district (66-7-301 NMSA 1978);
(3) 
The lawfully posted speed limit when signs are erected giving notice of the speed limit; or (*)
(4) 
The posted speed limit in construction zones posted as double fine zones or other safety zones posted as double fine zones as designated by the municipality or Highway and Transportation Department, provided that the posted speed limit be determined by an engineering study performed by the State Highway and Transportation Department.
B. 
In every event, speed shall be so controlled as may be necessary:
(1) 
To avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the street;
(2) 
To comply with legal requirements as may be established by the municipality, the State Highway Department or the New Mexico State Police, and the duty of all persons to use due care; and
(3) 
To protect workers in construction zones posted as double fine zones or other safety zones posted as double fine zones as designated by the municipality or Highway and Transportation Department. (66-7-301 NMSA 1978)
A. 
Whenever the Administrator determines, upon the basis of an engineering survey and traffic investigation, that any speed limit permitted under state law or local ordinance is greater or less than is reasonable or safe under the conditions found to exist upon any part of a street within his jurisdiction, he may declare a speed limit for that part which is effective at times determined, when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected at the particular part of the street.
B. 
Alteration of speed limits on state highways by the Administrator are not effective until approved by the State Highway Commission. (66-7-303 NMSA 1978)
C. 
The Administrator shall adhere to and abide by all applicable state statutes in making his determination of speed limits in the municipality.
D. 
Whenever the Administrator declares a speed limit, he shall submit a schedule of the speed limit to the Police Department, the Municipal Judge, the Municipal Clerk and the Municipal Attorney. (*)
E. 
Speed zones may be marked by a sign containing a flashing yellow light and, when the light is in operation, the speed limit, instructions or regulations on the sign are in effect.
F. 
The provisions of Subsection A of this section shall not apply to changes of speed limit in construction zones authorized pursuant to Subsections G through K of this section.
G. 
When construction, repair or reconstruction of any street or highway is being done, the Administrator or other governmental authority with jurisdiction over that street or highway is authorized to designate as a construction zone that portion of the street or highway where construction, reconstruction or repair is being done and to close the construction zone to traffic or to provide for a single lane of traffic on any two-lane or four-lane highway in the construction zone. (66-7-303.1 NMSA 1978)
H. 
The Administrator or other governmental authority closing all or a portion of a street or highway or providing for a single lane of traffic on any two-lane or four-lane street or highway pursuant to Subsection G of this section shall erect or cause to be erected traffic-control devices or barricades to warn and notify the public of any change in speed limit and that such street or highway is closed or limited to a single lane of traffic. (66-7-303.1 NMSA 1978)
I. 
Every pedestrian or person who operates a vehicle on any street or highway shall obey all signs, signals, markings, flagmen or other traffic-control devices which are placed to regulate, control and guide traffic through a construction zone.
J. 
No person shall remove, change, modify, deface or alter any traffic-control device or barricade which has been erected on any street or highway pursuant to this section.
K. 
Any person who violates any provision of Subsection I or J of this section is guilty of a petty misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be sentenced in accordance with this code. (66-7-303.1 NMSA 1978)
The Administrator is authorized to regulate the timing of traffic signals so as to permit the movement of traffic in an orderly and safe manner at speeds slightly at variance from the speeds otherwise applicable within the district or at intersections and shall erect appropriate signs giving notice thereof. (*)
A. 
No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with this chapter.
B. 
Whenever the Administrator determines on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation that slow speeds on any part of a street consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the Administrator may determine and declare a minimum speed limit below which no person shall drive a vehicle except when necessary for safe operation or in compliance with this chapter. (66-7-305 NMSA 1978)
C. 
Police officers may enforce this section by directions to drivers. In the event of apparent willful disobedience to this section and refusal to comply with directions of an officer in accordance herewith, the continued slow operation by a driver is a violation of this section. (*)
A. 
In every charge of violation of any speed regulation under this chapter, the complaint and the uniform traffic citation shall specify the speed at which the defendant is alleged to have driven and the maximum speed applicable within the district or at the location.
B. 
Provisions of this chapter for maximum speed limitations shall not be construed to relieve the plaintiff in any civil action from the burden of proving negligence on the part of the defendant as the proximate cause of an accident. (66-7-307 NMSA 1978)
A. 
Subject to the requirements of § 12-10-1.15E of this chapter, no person shall drive any vehicle equipped with solid rubber or cushion tires at a speed greater than a maximum of 10 miles per hour. (66-7-306 NMSA 1978)
B. 
No person shall drive a vehicle over any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a street at a speed which is greater than the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to such bridge or structure, when such structure is signposted as provided in NMSA 1978, § 66-7-306B.
[Added 12-9-2020 by Ord. No. 20-16]
A. 
This section may be cited as the "City of Las Vegas Penalty Assessment Program for Speeding Violations."
B. 
Any person who, while operating a vehicle within the City limits of the City of Las Vegas and while outside of a school zone, exceeds the posted speed limit up to and including 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit shall incur a mandatory penalty assessment of $35. If such act should occur within a school zone, construction zone or pedestrian zone, the mandatory penalty assessment shall be $70.
C. 
Any person who, while operating a vehicle within the City limits of the City of Las Vegas and while outside of a school zone, exceeds the posted speed limit from 11 up to and including 15 miles per hour over the posted speed limit shall incur a mandatory penalty assessment of $45. If such act should occur within a school zone, construction zone or pedestrian zone, the mandatory penalty assessment shall be $90.
D. 
Any person who, while operating a vehicle within the City limits of the City of Las Vegas and while outside of a school zone, exceeds the posted speed limit from 16 up to and including 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit shall incur a mandatory penalty assessment of $80. If such act should occur within a school zone, construction zone or pedestrian zone, the mandatory penalty assessment shall be $160.
E. 
Any person who, while operating a vehicle within the City limits of the City of Las Vegas and while outside of a school zone, exceeds the posted speed limit from 21 up to and including 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit shall incur a mandatory penalty assessment of $120. If such act should occur within a school zone, construction zone or pedestrian zone, the mandatory penalty assessment shall be $240.
F. 
Any person who, while operating a vehicle within the City limits of the City of Las Vegas and while outside of a school zone, exceeds the posted speed limit from 26 up to and including 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit shall incur a mandatory penalty assessment of $150. If such act should occur within a school zone, construction zone or pedestrian zone, the mandatory penalty assessment shall be $300.
G. 
Any person who, while operating a vehicle within the City limits of the City of Las Vegas and while outside of a school zone, exceeds the posted speed limit more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit shall incur a mandatory penalty assessment of $225. If such act should occur within a school zone, construction zone or pedestrian zone, the mandatory penalty assessment shall be $450.
A. 
Upon all streets of sufficient width, a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the street and, where practicable, entirely to the right of the center thereof, except as follows:
(1) 
When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing such movement (66-7-308 NMSA 1978);
(2) 
When an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the street, provided that any person driving to the left shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles traveling in the proper direction on the unobstructed portion of the street (*);
(3) 
When the right half of the street is closed to traffic while under construction or repair (66-7-308 NMSA 1978);
(4) 
Upon a street divided into three marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable thereon; or
(5) 
Upon a street designated and signposted for one-way traffic.
B. 
Upon all streets any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the street except when overtaking and passing another car proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. (66-7-308 NMSA 1978)
C. 
Upon any street having four or more lanes for moving traffic and providing for two-way movement of traffic, no vehicle shall be driven to the left of the center line of the street, except when authorized by official traffic-control devices designating certain lanes to the left side of the center of the street for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use such lanes, or except as permitted under § 12-6-2.1A(2). However, this section shall not be construed as prohibiting the crossing of the center line in making a left turn into or from an alley, private road or driveway. (*)
Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right, and upon streets having width for not more than one line of traffic in each direction each driver shall give to the other at least 1/2 of the main-traveled portion of the street as nearly as possible. (66-7-309 NMSA 1978).
The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions and special rules hereinafter stated:
(1) 
The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the street until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle; and
(2) 
Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle. (66-7-310 NMSA 1978)
No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the street in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless such left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken. In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to the right-hand side of the street before coming within 100 feet of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. (66-7-312 NMSA 1978)
A. 
No vehicle shall at any time be driven to the left side of the street under the following conditions:
(1) 
When approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway where the driver's view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction;
(2) 
When approaching within 100 feet of or traversing any intersection or railroad grade crossing; or
(3) 
When the view is obstructed upon approaching within 100 feet of any bridge, viaduct, or tunnel. (66-7-313 NMSA 1978)
B. 
The foregoing limitations shall not apply:
(1) 
Upon a one-way street;
(2) 
Under the conditions described in § 12-6-2.1A(2); nor
(3) 
To the driver of a vehicle turning left into or from an alley, private road or driveway. (*)
A. 
The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
(1) 
When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;
(2) 
Upon a street or highway with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction; or
(3) 
Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the street is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles.
B. 
The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the street. (66-7-311 NMSA 1978)
A. 
The Administrator may determine those portions of any street or highway under his jurisdiction where overtaking and passing or driving on the left of the street would be especially hazardous and may, by appropriate signs or markings on the street, indicate the beginning and end of such zones. When the signs or markings are in place and clearly visible to an ordinarily observant person, every driver of a vehicle shall obey the direction thereof.
B. 
Where signs or markings are in place to define a no-passing zone as set forth in Subsection A of this section, no driver shall at any time drive on the left side of the street within the no-passing zone or on the left side of any pavement striping designed to mark the no-passing zone throughout its length. This section does not apply under the conditions described in § 12-6-2.1A(3) or to the driver of a vehicle turning left into or from an alley, private road or driveway. (66-7-315 NMSA 1978)
C. 
When double yellow lines are painted on a pavement, no driver shall drive any vehicle across the lines except the driver of a vehicle turning left into or from an alley, private road or driveway.
D. 
No driver shall overtake and pass any other vehicle proceeding in the same direction in a school zone when the school zone signs are in place.
E. 
Whenever a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the street, the driver of the vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle. (*)
A. 
The Administrator may designate and sign streets and alleys as one-way streets and alleys. The designation shall be made only upon the basis of engineering and traffic investigation.
B. 
Signs indicating the direction of lawful traffic movement shall be placed at every intersection, where movement of traffic in the opposite direction is prohibited. No regulation as to one-way traffic shall be effective unless signs are in place indicating the direction of the flow of traffic.
C. 
The Administrator shall maintain a schedule of all streets and alleys which have been established as one-way and shall provide copies of the schedule to the Police Department, Municipal Clerk, Municipal Judge and Municipal Attorney. (*)
A. 
Upon those streets and parts of streets and in those alleys restricted to movement in one direction, vehicular traffic shall move only in the indicated direction when signs indicating the direction of traffic are erected and maintained at every intersection where movement in the opposite direction is prohibited.
B. 
Failure to comply with such signs is a violation of this chapter. (*)
A vehicle passing around a rotary traffic island shall be driven only to the right of such island. (66-7-316 NMSA 1978)
A. 
The Administrator may determine and designate streets, parts of streets or specific lanes upon which vehicular traffic shall proceed in one direction during one period of the day and the opposite direction during another period of the day. This designation shall be made only upon the basis of engineering and traffic investigation.
B. 
Appropriate markings, signs, barriers or other devices shall be placed to give notice of the restricted movement.
C. 
Signs may be placed temporarily designating lanes to be used by traffic moving in particular direction, regardless of the center line of the street. (*)
Whenever any street has been divided into two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic the following rules in addition to all others consistent herewith shall apply:
(1) 
A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety;
(2) 
Upon a street which is divided into three lanes a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle where the street is clearly visible and such center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for a left turn or where such center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding and is signposted to give notice of such allocation;
(3) 
Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving traffic to use a designated lane or designating those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of the center of the street, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such sign (66-7-317 NMSA 1978); and
(4) 
Official traffic-control devices may be installed prohibiting the changing of lanes on sections of streets, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such device. (*)
A. 
The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.
B. 
The driver of any motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle when traveling upon a street outside of a business or residence district shall not follow another motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle within 300 feet, except that this shall not prevent a motor truck or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle from overtaking and passing any like vehicle or other vehicle.
C. 
Motor vehicles being driven upon any street outside of a business or residence district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other vehicles, shall not follow the preceding vehicle closer than 300 feet. This provision shall not apply to funeral processions, nor shall it apply within or outside of a business or residence district to motor vehicle escort vehicles of a motor vehicle escort service, which may, if necessary to maintain the continuity of the escorted unit or units, precede or follow at a distance closer than 300 feet to the escorted unit or units. (66-7-318 NMSA 1978)
A. 
Whenever any street has been divided into two roadways by leaving an intervening space or by a physical barrier or clearly indicated dividing section so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic, every vehicle shall be driven only upon the right-hand segment of the divided street (66-7-319 NMSA 1978), unless directed or permitted to use another segment by official traffic-control devices or police officers. (*)
B. 
No vehicle shall be driven over, across, or within any such dividing space, barrier, or section, except through an opening in such physical barrier or dividing section or space or at a crossover or intersection established by public authority. (66-7-319 NMSA 1978)
C. 
Where recessed cut-outs are provided in dividers to facilitate left turns, all vehicles, except those having a turning radius precluding use of such recessed cut-outs, shall execute a left turn by occupying the recess or cut-out prior to entering the intersection. (*)
No person shall drive a vehicle onto or from any controlled-access street except at such entrances and exits as are established by public authority. (66-7-320 NMSA 1978)
A. 
No pedestrian, bicycle or other nonmotorized traffic shall use any controlled-access street, but notwithstanding this subsection, drivers of vehicles using the controlled-access street are not relieved of responsibility for exercising due care.
B. 
In addition to the provisions of Subsection A, the local governing body may, by ordinance, regulate or prohibit the use of any controlled-access street within its jurisdiction by any class or kind of traffic which is found to be incompatible with the normal and safe movement of traffic. (66-7-321 NMSA 1978)
C. 
No driver shall stop a vehicle upon any controlled-access street for the purpose of taking on or discharging passengers, freight or merchandise.
D. 
The Administrator has the authority to erect and maintain official traffic-control devices on the controlled-access street on which the restrictions are applicable, and when such traffic-control devices are in place, no person shall disobey the restrictions stated on the devices. (66-7-321 NMSA 1978)
A. 
The Administrator, upon traffic and engineering study and investigation, may designate which streets shall be through streets.
B. 
A schedule of the through streets shall be prepared by the Administrator with copies furnished to the Police Department, Municipal Clerk, Municipal Judge and Municipal Attorney. (*)
A. 
Whenever the Administrator designates and describes a through street, the City Traffic Engineer shall place and maintain a stop sign, or on the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation at any intersection a yield sign, on each and every street intersecting the through street unless traffic at any such intersection is controlled at all times by traffic-control signals.
B. 
However, at the intersection of two through streets or at the intersection of a through street and heavy traffic street not so designated, stop signs shall be erected at the approaches to both of said streets in a manner determined by the Administrator upon the basis of an engineering and traffic study. (*)
The Administrator may determine and designate intersections other than through streets where particular hazards exist and determine:
A. 
Whether vehicles shall stop at one or more entrances to the intersection, in which event he shall have erected a stop sign at every place where a stop is required; or
B. 
Whether vehicles shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles on a different street at the intersection, in which event he shall have erected a yield sign at every place where obedience thereto is required. (*)
A. 
The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different street.
B. 
When two vehicles enter an intersection from different streets at approximately the same time the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
C. 
The right-of-way rules declared in Subsections A and B are modified at through streets and otherwise as provided in this chapter. (66-7-328 NMSA 1978)
D. 
The driver of a vehicle approaching or entering an interstate highway shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicles on the interstate highway. (*)
The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard, but said driver, having so yielded and having given a signal when and as required by this chapter, may make such left turn and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection from said opposite direction shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle making the left turn. (66-7-329 NMSA 1978)
A. 
Preferential right-of-way at an intersection may be indicated by stop signs or yield signs as authorized in this chapter.
B. 
Except when directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic-control signal, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop as required by § 12-6-4.3D and after having stopped shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from another street or which is approaching so closely on the street as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when the driver is moving across or within the intersection.
C. 
The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall, in obedience to the sign, slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions, and shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another street so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection. If the driver is involved in a collision with a vehicle in the intersection, after driving past a yield sign without stopping, the collision shall be deemed prima facie evidence of his failure to yield right-of-way. (66-7-330 NMSA 1978)
D. 
Except when directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic-control signal, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop completely before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting street before entering the intersection.
E. 
The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign, if required for safety to stop, shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, in the event there is no crosswalk, at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting street where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting street. (66-7-345 NMSA 1978)
The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows:
A. 
Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the street.
B. 
At any intersection where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each street entering the intersection, an approach for a left turn, except where left-turn provisions are made, shall be made in that portion of the right half of the street nearest the center line thereof and by passing to the right of such center line where it enters the intersection and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the center line of the street being entered. Whenever practicable, the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.
C. 
Upon a street with two or more lanes for through traffic in each direction, where a center lane has been provided by distinctive pavement markings for the use of vehicles turning left from both directions, no vehicle shall turn left from any other lane. A vehicle shall not be driven in this center lane for the purpose of overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction. Any maneuver other than a left turn from this center lane will be deemed a violation of this section.
D. 
At any intersection where traffic is restricted to one direction on one or more of the streets, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any such intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection, as nearly as practicable, in the left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the street being entered. (66-7-322 NMSA 1978)
E. 
No person shall drive across any private or public property, including but not limited to parking areas, driveways and service station areas, for the purpose of avoiding any traffic-control device or sign. (*)
The Administrator may cause markers, buttons or signs to be placed within or adjacent to intersections and thereby require and direct that a different course from that specified in § 12-6-5.1 be traveled by vehicles turning at an intersection, and, when markers, buttons or signs are so placed, no driver of a vehicle shall turn a vehicle at an intersection other than as directed and required by the markers, buttons or signs. (66-7-322 NMSA 1978)
A. 
The Administrator may determine those intersections at which drivers of vehicles shall not make a right, left or U-turn and shall place proper signs at the intersections.
B. 
The making of the turns may be prohibited between certain hours of the day and permitted at other hours, in which event the same shall be plainly indicated on the signs or they may be removed when the turns are permitted. (*)
Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right or left or U-turn is permitted, no driver of a vehicle shall disobey the directions of the sign. (*)
The driver of any vehicle shall not turn the vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any street in a business district and shall not upon any other street so turn a vehicle unless the movement can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic. (*)
No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve, or upon the approach to, or near the crest of a grade, where such vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction within 1,000 feet. (66-7-323 NMSA 1978)
A. 
No person shall start a vehicle which is stopped, standing, or parked unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. (66-7-324 NMSA 1978)
B. 
No person shall move any parked vehicle without giving appropriate signals as prescribed in §§ 12-6-5.8 through 12-6-5.10. (*)
A. 
No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the street as required in § 12-6-5.1 or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a street unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. No person shall so turn any vehicle without giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided in the event any other traffic may be affected by such movement.
B. 
A signal of intention to turn right or left, when required, shall be given continuously during not less than the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.
C. 
No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided herein to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give such signal. (66-7-325 NMSA 1978)
D. 
The signals provided for in this section shall be used to indicate an intention to turn, change lanes or start from a parked position and shall not be flashed on one side only on a parked or disabled car or flashed as a courtesy or "do pass" signal to operators of other vehicles approaching from the rear. (*)
A. 
Any stop or turn signal, when required herein, shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by signal lamp or lamps or mechanical signal device except as otherwise provided in Subsection B.
B. 
Any motor vehicle in use on a street shall be equipped with, and required signal shall be given by, a signal lamp or lamps or mechanical signal device when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load of such motor vehicle exceeds 24 inches, or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereof exceeds 14 feet. The latter measurement shall apply to any single vehicle, also to any combination of vehicles. (66-7-326 NMSA 1978)
All signals herein required given by hand and arm shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner and such signal shall indicate as follows:
A. 
Left turn: hand and arm extended horizontally;
B. 
Right turn: hand and arm extended upward; and
C. 
Stop or decrease speed: hand and arm extended downward. (66-7-327 NMSA 1978)
A. 
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with law or the directions of a police officer or traffic-control device, in any of the following places:
(1) 
On a sidewalk;
(2) 
In front of a public or private driveway;
(3) 
Within an intersection;
(4) 
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;
(5) 
On a crosswalk;
(6) 
Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection;
(7) 
Within 13 feet upon the approach to any flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic-control signal located at the side of a street;
(8) 
Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb immediately opposite the end of a safety zone, unless the traffic authority indicates a different length by signs or markings;
(9) 
Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing;
(10) 
Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within 75 feet of said entrance, when properly signposted;
(11) 
Alongside or opposite any excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing or parking would obstruct traffic;
(12) 
On the street side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street;
(13) 
Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a street or within a street tunnel;
(14) 
At any place where official signs prohibit stopping (66-7-351 NMSA 1978);
(15) 
On any railroad track; or
(16) 
Between a curb and sidewalk or between a curb or lateral line of a roadway and the adjacent property line. (*)
B. 
No person shall move a vehicle not lawfully under his control into any such prohibited area or away from a curb such distance as is unlawful. (66-7-351 NMSA 1978)
C. 
The foregoing provisions may be modified by the Administrator or his designated representative upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation study by the use of appropriate markings, signs or parking meters. (*)
D. 
Recreational vehicles, trailers or towed vehicle. No person or entity shall park, stand or stop a recreational vehicle, trailer or towed vehicle for more than 90 minutes on any roadway, sidewalk, alley or other City-owned or City-operated property, with the definition of recreational vehicle to include a motor home or recreational vehicle as defined in NMSA Chapter 66, a vehicle classified as class A, class B, class C, truck classes four through eight or larger than eight, or a travel trailer, fifth wheel, pop-up or other such movable enclosed space. No recreational vehicle, trailer or towed vehicle shall be parked anywhere in the City limits such that the parking blocks or obstructs a roadway, sidewalk, alley or any other public right-of-way. A violation of this § 12-6-6.1D shall be punishable by a nondiscretionary civil penalty of $100, and each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense for the purpose of calculating the civil penalty. The City, in its sole discretion, may tow any recreational vehicle, trailer or towed vehicle, at the expense of the owner, and not at any expense to the City, for any violation of this § 12-6-6.1D.
[Added 9-14-2022 by Ord. No. 22-09]
E. 
Parking penalties. Unless a specific penalty is expressly provided for in this Chapter 12, any violation of this Chapter 12 shall be punishable by a nondiscretionary civil penalty of $50, and each occurrence shall constitute a separate offense for the purpose of calculating the civil penalty.
[Added 9-14-2022 by Ord. No. 22-09]
A. 
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, every vehicle stopped or parked upon a street where there are adjacent curbs shall be so stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels of such vehicle parallel to and within 18 inches of the right-hand curb. (66-7-352 NMSA 1978)
B. 
Except when otherwise provided in this chapter, every vehicle stopped or parked on a one-way street shall be so stopped or parked parallel to the curb or edge of the street with its right-hand wheels within 18 inches of the right-hand curb or edge of the street or its left-hand wheels within 18 inches of the left-hand curb or edge of the street. (*)
No motor vehicle shall be stopped, parked, or left standing, whether attended or unattended, upon the traveled portion of any street outside of a business or residence district, when it is practicable to stop, park, or leave such vehicle off the traveled portion of the street. In the event that conditions make it impracticable to move such motor vehicle from the traveled portion of the street, the driver shall make every effort to leave all possible width of the highway opposite the standing vehicle for the free passage of other vehicles and he shall take care to provide a clear view of the standing vehicles as far as possible to the front and rear. (66-3-852 NMSA 1978)
No person shall park a vehicle within an alley in such a manner or under such conditions as to leave available less than 10 feet of the width of the alley for the free movement of vehicular traffic, and no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle within an alley in such a position as to block the driveway entrance to any abutting property. (*)
No person shall park a vehicle on any street in a nonresidential area for a period of time longer than 30 minutes between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. of any day, except physicians on emergency calls. (*)
No person shall park a vehicle on any street for the principal purpose of:
(1) 
Displaying the vehicle for sale; or
(2) 
Washing, greasing or repairing the vehicle except repairs necessitated by an emergency. (*)
A. 
The Administrator may erect signs indicating no parking on either or both sides of any street adjacent to any school property when parking would, in his opinion, interfere with traffic or create a hazardous situation.
B. 
When official signs are erected indicating no parking on either side of a street adjacent to any school property as authorized in this section, no person shall park a vehicle in any such designated place. (*)
A. 
The Administrator may erect signs indicating no parking on any street when the width of the street does not exceed 24 feet or no parking upon one side of a street as indicated by such signs when the width of the street does not exceed 32 feet.
B. 
When official signs prohibiting parking are erected on narrow streets as authorized in this section, no person shall park a vehicle on any such street in violation of the sign. (*)
A. 
The Administrator may erect signs on the left-hand side of any one-way street to prohibit the standing or parking of vehicles.
B. 
When such signs are in place, no person shall stand or park a vehicle on such left-hand side in violation of any such sign. (*)
A. 
In the event a divided street includes two or more segments for vehicular traffic, and traffic is restricted to one direction on any such segment, no person shall stand or park a vehicle on the left-hand side of the one-way segment unless signs are erected to permit such standing or parking.
B. 
The Administrator may determine where standing or parking may be permitted on the left-hand side of any such one-way portion of a divided street and to erect signs giving notice thereof. (*)
A. 
The Administrator may determine and designate by proper signs, places at intervals not exceeding 100 feet in length in which the stopping, standing or parking of vehicles would create an especially hazardous condition or would cause unusual delay to traffic.
B. 
When official signs are erected at hazardous or congested places as authorized in Subsection A, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle in any such designated place. (*)
A. 
The provisions of this section prohibiting the standing or parking of a vehicle shall apply at all times or at those times herein specified or as indicated on official signs except when it is necessary to stop a vehicle to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with the directions of a police officer or official traffic-control device.
B. 
The provisions of this section imposing a time limit on parking shall not relieve any person from the duty to observe other and more restrictive provisions prohibiting or limiting the stopping, standing or parking of vehicles in specified places or at specified times.
C. 
The Administrator may impose restrictions or prohibitions on standing, stopping or parking and they shall apply as follows:
(1) 
When signs are erected prohibiting parking at all times on certain streets, no person shall park a vehicle at any time upon any of the streets so designated;
(2) 
When signs are erected in each block giving notice that stopping, standing or parking is prohibited during certain hours on certain streets, no person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle between the hours specified on the sign on any day, except Sundays and public holidays, within the district or on any of the streets so designated; or
(3) 
When signs are erected in each block giving notice that parking time is limited on certain streets, no person shall park a vehicle for longer than the time indicated on such signs between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. of any day, except Sundays and public holidays, within the district or on any of the streets so designated.
D. 
Whenever by this chapter or any other ordinance of this municipality, any parking time limit is imposed or parking is prohibited on designated streets, it is the duty of the Administrator to erect appropriate signs giving notice of the restrictions or limitations.
E. 
No regulation authorized in this section shall be effective unless signs giving notice of prohibitions or limitations are erected and in place at the time of an alleged offense. (*)
A. 
The Administrator may determine upon what streets angle parking is permitted and shall mark or sign such streets:
(1) 
Any designation of angle parking shall be made on the basis of engineering and traffic study and investigation; (*)
(2) 
The Administrator may permit angle parking on any street, except that angle parking shall not be permitted on any federal-aid or state highway unless the State Highway Commission has determined by resolution or order entered in its minutes that the street is of sufficient width to permit angle parking without interfering with the free movement of traffic; (66-7-352 NMSA 1978)
(3) 
Angle parking shall not be indicated or permitted at any place where passing traffic would thereby be caused or required to drive on the left side of the street; and
(4) 
On those streets which have been signed or marked by the Administrator for angle parking, no person shall park or stand a vehicle other than at the angle to the curb or edge of the street indicated by signs or markings. (*)
B. 
The Administrator may issue special permits to permit the backing of a vehicle to the curb for the purpose of loading or unloading merchandise or materials subject to the terms and conditions of the permit:
(1) 
The permits may be issued either to the owner or lessee of real property or to the owner of the vehicle and shall grant to the permit holder the privilege stated in the permit and authorized in this chapter; and
(2) 
No permittee or other person shall violate any of the special terms or conditions of a permit. (*)
A. 
Upon any street outside of a business or residence district no person shall stop, park, or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended, upon the paved or main-traveled part of the street when it is practicable to stop, park, or leave such vehicle off such part of said street, but in every event an unobstructed width of the street opposite a standing vehicle shall be left for the free passage of other vehicles and a clear view of such stopped vehicles shall be available from a distance of 200 feet in each direction upon such street.
B. 
This section shall not apply to the driver of any vehicle which is disabled while on the paved or main-traveled portion of a street in such manner and to such extent that it is impossible to avoid stopping and temporarily leaving such disabled vehicle in such position. (66-7-349 NMSA 1978)
C. 
The State Department of Transportation, unless otherwise directed by an investigating police officer, or a police officer may remove or cause to be removed a vehicle or other obstruction from the paved or main-traveled part of a highway to the nearest place of safety if the vehicle or other obstruction obstructs traffic or poses a traffic hazard. (66-7-349 C NMSA 1978)
A. 
The driver of a vehicle within a business or residence district emerging from an alley, driveway, or building shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway or driveway, and shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian as may be necessary to avoid collision, and upon entering the street shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on said street. (66-7-346 NMSA 1978)
B. 
The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a street from a private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on said street. (66-7-331 NMSA 1978)
No driver shall enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle he is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic-control signal indication to proceed. (*)
A. 
The driver of a vehicle upon approaching or overtaking from either direction any school bus which has stopped on the street, with special school bus signals in operation, for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children, shall stop the vehicle at least 10 feet before reaching the school bus and shall not proceed until the special school bus signals are turned off, the school bus resumes motion or until signaled by the driver to proceed.
B. 
Every bus used for the transportation of school children shall bear upon the front and rear thereof a plainly visible sign containing the words "School Bus" in letters not less than eight inches in height.
C. 
The driver of a vehicle upon a street with separate roadways need not stop upon meeting or passing a school bus which is on a different roadway or when upon a controlled access street and the school bus is stopped in a loading zone which is a part of or adjacent to such street and where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway. (66-7-347 NMSA 1978)
D. 
It is unlawful to operate any flashing warning signal light on any school bus on any street except when the school bus is stopped or is about to stop on a street for the purpose of permitting school children to board or alight from the school bus. (66-7-348 NMSA 1978)
A. 
Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing emergency lights or when the driver is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the street clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. (66-7-332 NMSA 1978)
B. 
Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing emergency lights, unless otherwise directed, the driver of the vehicle shall:
(1) 
If reasonably safe to do so, drive in a lane not adjacent to where the authorized emergency vehicle is stopped, decrease the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances and proceed with caution; or
(2) 
If it is not reasonably safe to drive in a lane not adjacent to where the authorized emergency vehicle is stopped, decrease the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, proceed with caution and be prepared to stop. (66-7-332 NMSA 1978)
C. 
Upon the immediate approach of an oncoming vehicle overtaking or attempting to overtake a vehicle proceeding in the same direction, the driver of that vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall drive to a position to and as close as possible to the right hand edge or curb of the roadway and shall remain as close as possible to the right hand edge or curb of the roadway until the oncoming vehicle has passed. (66-7-332.1 NMSA 1978)
D. 
This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle or the driver of an oncoming vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway. (66-7-322 and 66-7-322.1 NMSA 1978)
A. 
A person driving a vehicle approaching a railroad-highway grade crossing shall:
(1) 
Obey traffic-control devices, crossing gates or barriers or the directions of an enforcement official at the crossing;
(2) 
Stop not more than 50 feet and not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of a crossing if:
(a) 
A train is moving through or blocking the crossing;
(b) 
A train is plainly visible and approaching the crossing within hazardous proximity to the crossing;
(c) 
The sound of a train's warning signal can be heard; or
(d) 
A traffic-control device, crossing gate, barrier or light or an enforcement official signals the driver to stop; and
(3) 
Proceed through the railroad-highway grade crossing only if it is safe to completely pass through the entire railroad-highway grade crossing without stopping.
B. 
A person shall not:
(1) 
Drive a vehicle through, around or under a crossing gate or barrier at a railroad-highway grade crossing while the gate or barrier is closed or being opened or closed;
(2) 
Drive onto the railroad-highway grade crossing and stop; or
(3) 
Enter a crossing if the vehicle being driven has insufficient undercarriage clearance to pass over the crossing.
C. 
The penalty assessment for violation of this section is included in the penalty assessment schedule.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The Penalty Assessment Program is included at the end of this chapter.
The Administrator, with the approval of the State Highway Commission, may designate particularly dangerous highway grade crossings of railroads and erect stop signs thereat. When such stop signs are erected, the driver of any vehicle shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of such railroad and shall proceed only upon exercising due care. (66-7-342 NMSA 1978)
A. 
Except as set forth in Subsection D of this section, a driver of a vehicle carrying passengers for hire, a school bus carrying school children or a vehicle carrying hazardous materials, radioactive or explosive substances or flammable liquids as cargo or as part of its cargo, before entering a railroad-highway grade crossing, is required to stop no more than 50 feet and no less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of the railroad.
B. 
While stopped, the driver shall:
(1) 
Look and listen in both directions along the track for an approaching train and for signals indicating that a train is approaching;
(2) 
Determine it is safe to proceed completely through the railroad-highway grade crossing before entering it; and
(3) 
Set the vehicle in a gear sufficiently low that gears will not need to be shifted before exiting the railroad-highway grade crossing.
C. 
A driver shall not shift gears while in a railroad-highway grade crossing.
D. 
A driver of a vehicle carrying passengers for hire, a school bus carrying school children or a vehicle carrying hazardous materials, radioactive or explosive substances or flammable liquids as cargo or as part of its cargo is not required to stop at:
(1) 
A railroad-highway grade crossing where a police officer directs traffic to proceed;
(2) 
A railroad-highway grade crossing where a stop-and-go traffic light controls movement of traffic;
(3) 
A railroad-highway grade crossing used exclusively for industrial switching purposes, within a business district as defined in NMSA 1978, § 66-1-4.2;
(4) 
A railroad-highway grade crossing where use of the railroad has been abandoned and there is a sign indicating that the railroad has been abandoned; or
(5) 
An industrial or spur line railroad-highway grade crossing marked with a sign reading "exempt crossing" that has been designated as exempt by appropriate state or local authorities.
E. 
Penalties for violation of this section are included in the penalty assessment schedule.[1] (66-7-343 NMSA 1978)
[1]
Editor's Note: The Penalty Assessment Program is included at the end of this chapter.
A. 
No person shall operate or move any crawler-type tractor, steam shovel, derrick, roller, or any equipment or structure having a normal operating speed of 10 or less miles per hour or a vertical body or load clearance of less than 1/2 inch per foot of the distance between any two adjacent axles or in any event of less than nine inches, measured above the level surface of a street, upon or across any tracks at a railroad grade crossing without first complying with this section.
B. 
Notice of any such intended crossing shall be given to a station agent of such railroad and a reasonable time be given to such railroad to provide proper protection at such crossing.
C. 
Before making any such crossing the person operating or moving any such vehicle or equipment shall first stop the same not less than 15 feet nor more than 50 feet from the nearest rail of such railroad and while so stopped shall listen and look in both directions along such track for any approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train, and shall not proceed until the crossing can be made safely.
D. 
No such crossing shall be made when warning is given by automatic signal or crossing gates or flagman or otherwise of the immediate approach of a railroad train or car. If a flagman is provided by the railroad, movement over the crossing shall be under his direction.
E. 
This section shall not apply to the normal movement of farm equipment in the regular course of farm operation. (66-7-344 NMSA 1978)
The Administrator may determine the location of passenger and freight curb loading zones, and he shall place and maintain appropriate signs indicating the zones and stating the hours during which the provisions of §§ 12-6-8.1 through 12-6-8.4 are applicable. (*)
A. 
The Administrator shall not designate or sign any curb loading zone upon special request of any person unless the person makes application for a permit for the zone and for two signs to indicate the ends of each zone.
B. 
After the Administrator has granted a permit and before signs and markings as may be necessary are installed, the applicant shall pay to the City Treasurer a service fee of $25 per twenty-two-foot stall plus $0.25 per foot for additional space per year or fraction thereof.
C. 
The Administrator may impose conditions and general regulations for the use of the signs and for reimbursement of the City for the value thereof in the event of loss or damage and their return in the event of misuse or upon expiration of permit.
D. 
Every permit shall expire at the end of each calendar year. (*)
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose or period of time other than for the expeditious loading or unloading of passengers in any place marked as a passenger curb loading zone during hours when the regulations applicable to the curb loading zone are effective and then only for a period not to exceed three minutes. (*)
A. 
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle for any purpose or length of time other than for the expeditious unloading and delivery or pickup and loading of materials in any place marked as a freight curb loading zone during hours when the provisions applicable to freight curb loading zones are in effect. In no case shall the stop for loading and unloading of material exceed 30 minutes.
B. 
The driver of a passenger vehicle may stop temporarily at a place marked as a freight curb loading zone for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading passengers, when such stopping does not interfere with any motor vehicle used for the transportation of materials which is waiting to enter or about to enter the zone. (*)
A. 
The Administrator may establish bus stops, bus stands, taxicab stands and stands for other passenger common-carrier motor vehicles on such public streets in such places and in such number as he shall determine to be of the greatest benefit and convenience to the public.
B. 
Every designated bus stop, bus stand, taxicab stand or other stand shall be designated by appropriate signs. (*)
The following fees shall be charged to each person, firm or corporation for the use of taxicab stands, and permits for the stands shall expire at the end of each calendar year:
(1) 
One hundred dollars per year or fraction thereof for each stand located within the central business district; and
(2) 
Twenty-five dollars per year or fraction thereof for each stall located in any area outside the central business district. (*)
The stopping, standing and parking of buses and taxicabs is regulated as follows:
A. 
The operator of a bus shall not stand or park the vehicle on any street at any place other than a bus stand so designated as provided in this chapter.
B. 
The operator of a bus shall not stop the vehicle on any street at any place for the purpose of loading or unloading passengers or their baggage other than at a bus stop, bus stand or passenger loading zone so designated as provided herein, except in cases of emergency.
C. 
The operator of a bus shall enter a bus stop, bus stand or passenger loading zone on a public street in such a manner that the bus when stopped to load or unload passengers or baggage shall be in a position with the right front wheel of the vehicle not farther than 18 inches from the curb and the bus approximately parallel to the curb so as not to unduly impede the movement of other vehicular traffic.
D. 
The operator of a taxicab shall not stand or park the vehicle upon any street at any place other than in a taxicab stand so designated as provided herein. This provision shall not prevent the operator of a taxicab from temporarily stopping in accordance with other stopping or parking regulations at any place for the purpose of and while actually engaged in the expeditious loading or unloading of passengers. (*)
A. 
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle other than a bus in a bus stop, or other than a taxicab in a taxicab stand, when any such stop or stand has been officially designated and appropriately signed.
B. 
However, the driver of a passenger vehicle may temporarily stop in a bus stop or taxicab stand for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading passengers when such stopping does not interfere with any bus or taxicab waiting to enter or about to enter such zone. (*)
A. 
Crosswalks may be established over streets abutting a school or the grounds adjacent thereto, and all children crossing the streets shall be required to do so within the marked crosswalks. The Administrator, with advice of the local superintendent of schools, shall establish and mark, or cause to be marked, these street crossings.
B. 
Crosswalks over streets not abutting on school grounds may be established by the Administrator, with advice of the local superintendent of schools and after adequate assurance has been given that proper safety precautions, pursuant to regulations of the Administrator, will be maintained at the crossings by the school authorities to enforce their use by children.
C. 
At all school crossings, except as provided in this section, appropriate signs shall be provided as prescribed by the Administrator indicating the crossings and regulating traffic movement within the school zones.
D. 
School crossings are not required to be specifically posted when they are located:
(1) 
At a signalized intersection;
(2) 
At an intersection where traffic is controlled by a stop sign; or
(3) 
At a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing is provided. (66-7-336 NMSA 1978)
A. 
The Department and local highway authorities may, in their discretion, upon application in writing and good cause being shown, issue a special permit in writing authorizing the applicant to operate or move a vehicle or load of a size or weight exceeding the maximum specified in NMSA 1978, §§ 66-7-401 through 66-7-416, on any highway under the jurisdiction of the State Transportation Commission or local authorities. Except for the movement of manufactured homes, a permit may be granted, in cases of emergency, for the transportation of loads on a certain unit or combination of equipment for a specified period of time not to exceed one year, and the permit shall contain the route to be traversed, the type of load to be transported and any other restrictions or conditions deemed necessary by the body granting the permit. In every other case, the permit shall be issued for a single trip and may designate the route to be traversed and contain any other restrictions or conditions deemed necessary by the body granting the permit. Every permit shall be carried in the vehicle to which it refers and shall be opened for inspection by any peace officer. It is a misdemeanor for any person to violate any of the conditions or terms of the special permit.
B. 
The Department shall charge and collect, when the movement consists of any load of a width of 20 feet or greater for a distance of five miles or more, the sum of $300 a day or fraction thereof to defray the cost of state or local police escort. The permit issued and the fee charged shall be based upon the entire movement at one time requiring police escort and not upon the number of vehicles involved.
C. 
The Department shall promulgate regulations in accordance with the State Rules Act pertaining to safety practices, liability insurance and equipment for escort vehicles provided by the motor carrier himself and for escort vehicles provided by a private business in this state.
(1) 
If a motor carrier provides his own escort vehicles and personnel, the Department shall not charge an escort fee but shall provide the motor carrier escort personnel with a copy of applicable regulations and shall inspect the escort vehicles for the safety equipment required by the regulations. If the escort vehicles and personnel meet the requirements set forth in the regulations and if the motor carrier holds a valid certificate of public convenience and necessity or permit, as applicable, issued pursuant to NMSA 1978, Chapter 65, Article 2,[1] the Department shall issue the special permit.
[1]
Editor's Note: NMSA 1978, §§ 65-2-1 through 65-2-79, were repealed by L. 1981, Ch. 358, § 49, eff. 4-10-1981; and §§ 65-2-80 through 65-2-117, were repealed by L. 2003, Ch. 359, § 44, eff. 7-1-2003. See now NMSA 1978, § 65-2A-1 et seq.
(2) 
If the escort service is a private business, the business shall have applied to the Public Regulation Commission for and been issued a permit or certificate to operate as a contract or common motor carrier pursuant to NMSA 1978, Chapter 65, Article 2.[2] The Public Regulation Commission shall supply copies of applicable regulations to the business by mail and shall supply additional copies upon request. If the escort vehicles and personnel meet the requirements set forth in the regulations and if the escort service holds a certificate, the special permit shall be issued and the Department shall not charge an escort fee.
[2]
Editor's Note: NMSA 1978, §§ 65-2-1 through 65-2-79, were repealed by L. 1981, Ch. 358, § 49, eff. 4-10-1981; and §§ 65-2-80 through 65-2-117, were repealed by L. 2003, Ch. 359, § 44, eff. 7-1-2003. See now NMSA 1978, § 65-2A-1 et seq.
(3) 
The movement of vehicles upon the highways of this state requiring a special permit and required to use an escort of the type noted in Subsection C(1) and (2) is subject to Department authority and inspection at all times.
(4) 
The State Transportation Department shall conduct engineering investigations and engineering inspections to determine which four-lane highways are safe for the operation or movement of manufactured homes without an escort. After making that determination, the State Transportation Department shall hold public hearings in the area of the state affected by the determination, after which it may adopt regulations designating those four-lane highways as being safe for the operation or movement of manufactured homes without an escort. If any portion of such a four-lane highway lies within the boundaries of a municipality, the State Highway and Transportation Department, after obtaining the approval of the municipal governing body, shall include such portions in its regulations.
D. 
Except for the movement of manufactured homes, special permits may be issued for a single vehicle or combination of vehicles by the Department for a period not to exceed one year for a fee of $60. The permits may allow excessive height, length and width for a vehicle or combination of vehicles or load thereon and may include a provision for excessive weight if the operation is to be within the vicinity of a municipality. Utility service vehicles, operating with special permits pursuant to this subsection, shall be exempt from prohibitions or restrictions relating to hours or days of operation or restrictions on movement because of poor weather conditions. (66-7-413 D NMSA 1978)
E. 
Special permits for a single trip for a vehicle or combination of vehicles or load thereon of excessive weight, width, length and height may be issued for a single vehicle for a fee of $15.
F. 
If the vehicle for which a permit is issued under this section is a manufactured home, the Department or local highway authority issuing the permit shall furnish the following information to the Property Tax Division of the Department, which shall forward the information:
(1) 
To the county assessor of any county from which a manufactured home is being moved, the date the permit was issued, the location being moved from, the location being moved to if within the same county, the name of the owner of the manufactured home and the identification and registration numbers of the manufactured home;
(2) 
To the county assessor of any county in this state to which a manufactured home is being moved, the date the permit was issued, the location being moved from, the location being moved to, the name of the owner of the manufactured home and the registration and identification numbers of the manufactured home; and
(3) 
To the owner of a manufactured home having a destination in this state, notification that the information required in Subsection F(1) and (2) is being given to the respective county assessors and that manufactured homes are subject to property tax.
G. 
Except as provided in Subsection H of this section, if the movement of a manufactured home originates in this state, no permit shall be issued under Subsection F of this section until the owner of the manufactured home or his authorized agent obtains and presents to the Department proof that a certificate has been issued by the county assessor or treasurer of the county in which the manufactured home movement originates showing that either:
(1) 
All property taxes due or to become due on the manufactured home for the current tax year or any past tax years have been paid, except for manufactured homes located on an Indian reservation; or
(2) 
No liability for property taxes on the manufactured home exists for the current tax year or any past tax years, except for manufactured homes located on an Indian reservation.
H. 
The movement of a manufactured home from the lot or business location of a manufactured home dealer to its destination designated by an owner-purchaser is not subject to the requirements of Subsection G of this section if the manufactured home movement originates from the lot or business location of the dealer and the manufactured home was part of his inventory prior to the sale to the owner-purchaser; however, the movement of a manufactured home by a dealer or his authorized agent as a result of a sale or trade-in from a nondealer-owner is subject to the requirements of Subsection G of this section whether the destination is the business location of a dealer or some other destination.
I. 
No permit shall be issued under this section for movement of a manufactured home whose width exceeds 18 feet with no more than a six-inch roof overhang on the left side or 12 inches on the right side in addition to the eighteen-foot width of the manufactured home. Manufactured homes exceeding the limitations of this section shall only be moved on dollies placed on the front and the rear of the structure.
J. 
The secretary may by regulation provide for movers of manufactured homes to self-issue permits for certain sizes of manufactured homes over specific routes; however, in no case may the cost of each permit be less than $15.
K. 
The Secretary may provide by regulation for dealers of implements of husbandry to self-issue permits for the movement of certain sizes of implements of husbandry from the lot or business location of the dealer over specific routes with specific escort requirements, if necessary, to a destination designated by an owner-purchaser or for purposes of a working demonstration on the property of a proposed owner-purchaser. The Department shall charge a fee for each self-issued permit not to exceed $15.
L. 
Any private motor carrier requesting an oversize or overweight permit shall provide proof of insurance in at least the following amounts:
(1) 
Bodily injury liability, providing;
(a) 
Fifty thousand dollars for each person; and
(b) 
One hundred thousand dollars for each accident; and
(2) 
Property damage liability, providing $25,000 for each accident.
M. 
Any common motor carrier requesting an oversize permit shall produce a copy of a form "e" or other acceptable evidence that the common motor carrier maintains the insurance minimums prescribed by the Public Regulation Commission. (66-7-413 NMSA 1978)
N. 
Farm carriers, as defined in NMSA 1978, §§ 65-2-82 and 65-2-116,[3] may transport loads up to 12 feet in width on highways that are not national network highways without acquiring permits or escorts only if the load consists of hay tied in bales over five feet in either length or width and the load is not transported for any distance greater than 50 miles, provided that the farm carriers display a sign across the front and rear stating "WIDE LOAD" in large visible letters. (66-7-413.1 NMSA 1978)
[3]
Editor's Note: NMSA 1978, §§ 65-2-82 and 65-2-116, were repealed L. 2003, Ch. 359, § 44, eff. 7-1-2003. See now NMSA 1978, § 65-2A-1 et seq.
O. 
No permit or fee required under this section is necessary for implements of husbandry, including farm tractors and farm trailers when not more than two such farm trailers are towed in tandem, being moved during daylight hours within a county or an adjacent county for a total distance, one way, of not more than 50 miles on any highway:
(1) 
Crossing the farm property of the owner; or
(2) 
Running between separate farm property of the owner. Any person responsible for the movement of implements of husbandry under the provisions of this section shall comply with all safety precautions set forth in this chapter and in regulations of the State Highway Commission. (66-7-414 NMSA 1978)
A. 
As used in this section, "slow-moving vehicle" means any vehicle which is ordinarily moved, operated or driven at a speed less than 25 miles an hour.
B. 
Each slow-moving vehicle moved, operated or driven on a highway which is open for vehicular travel shall display a slow-moving vehicle emblem or flashing amber light as required by NMSA 1978, § 66-3-887.
C. 
Use of the emblem is confined to slow-moving vehicles, and its use on any other type of vehicle or on any stationary object is prohibited. This section does not prohibit the use on slow-moving vehicles of red flags or lawful lighting devices in addition to the slow-moving vehicle emblem.
D. 
No person shall sell, lease, rent or operate any slow-moving vehicle unless the slow-moving vehicle is equipped with a slow-moving vehicle emblem. (66-3-887 NMSA 1978)
A. 
When, in the judgment of the Administrator, the movement of any vehicle is deemed a hazard to traffic upon a street over which the vehicle is to travel, the granting of permission for the movement thereof may be conditioned upon a special escort accompanying the hazardous vehicle.
B. 
The special police car escort to safeguard traffic during the movement of the hazardous vehicle shall conform to the provisions of NMSA 1978, § 66-7-314. (66-7-314 NMSA 1978)
A. 
It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor to drive a vehicle within this municipality.
B. 
It is unlawful for:
(1) 
A person to drive a vehicle in this state if the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more in the person's blood or breath within three hours of driving the vehicle and the alcohol concentration results from alcohol consumed before or while driving the vehicle; or
(2) 
A person to drive a commercial motor vehicle in this state if the person has an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more in the person's blood or breath within three hours of driving the commercial motor vehicle and the alcohol concentration results from alcohol consumed before or after driving the vehicle.
C. 
It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any drug to a degree which renders him incapable of safely driving a vehicle to drive a vehicle within this municipality. The fact that any person charged with a violation of this subsection is or has been entitled to use such drug under the laws of this state is not a defense against the charge.
D. 
Aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs consists of a person who:
(1) 
Drives a vehicle in this state and has an alcohol concentration of 0.16 or more in the person's blood or breath within three hours of driving the vehicle and the alcohol concentration results from alcohol consumed before or after driving the vehicle;
(2) 
Has caused bodily injury to a human being as a result of the unlawful operation of a motor vehicle while driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs; or
(3) 
Refused to submit to chemical testing, as provided for in the Implied Consent Act (NMSA 1978, §§ 66-8-105 to 66-8-112), and in the judgment of the court, based upon evidence of intoxication presented to the court, was under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. (66-8-102 NMSA 1978)
E. 
Any person who operates a motor vehicle within this municipality shall be deemed to have given consent, subject to the provisions of the Implied Consent Act, to chemical tests of his breath or blood or both, approved by the Scientific Laboratory Division of the Department of Health pursuant to the provision of NMSA 1978, § 24-1-22, as determined by a law enforcement officer, or for the purpose of determining the drug or alcoholic content of his blood, if arrested for any offense arising out of the acts alleged to have been committed while the person was driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or any drug.
F. 
A test of blood or breath or both, approved by the Scientific Laboratory Division of the Department of Health pursuant to NMSA 1978, § 24-1-22, shall be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer having reasonable grounds to believe the person to have been driving a motor vehicle within this municipality while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drug. (66-8-107 NMSA 1978)
G. 
Any person who is dead, unconscious or otherwise in a condition rendering him incapable of refusal, shall be deemed not to have withdrawn the consent provided by § 12-6-12.1E, and the test or tests designated by the law enforcement officer may be administered. (66-8-108 NMSA 1978)
H. 
Only the persons authorized by NMSA 1978, § 66-8-103, shall withdraw blood from any person for the purpose of determining its drug or alcoholic content. This limitation does not apply to the taking of samples of breath.
I. 
The person tested shall be advised by the law enforcement officer of the person's right to be given an opportunity to arrange for a physician, licensed professional or practical nurse, or laboratory technician or technologist who is employed by a hospital or physician, of his own choosing to perform a chemical test in addition to any test performed at the direction of a law enforcement officer.
J. 
Upon the request of the person tested, full information concerning the test or tests performed at the direction of the law enforcement officer shall be made available to him as soon as it is available from the person performing the test.
K. 
The law enforcement agency represented by the law enforcement officer at whose direction the chemical test is performed shall pay for the chemical test.
L. 
If a person exercises his right under Subsection I to have a chemical test performed upon him by a person of his own choosing, then the cost of that test shall be paid by the law enforcement agency represented by the law enforcement officer at whose direction a chemical test was administered under Subsection E. (66-8-109 NMSA 1978)
M. 
The results of a test performed pursuant to the Implied Consent Act may be introduced into evidence in any civil action or criminal action arising out of the acts alleged to have been committed by the person tested for driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drug.
N. 
When the blood or breath of the person tested contains:
(1) 
An alcohol concentration of less than 0.04 or less, it shall be presumed that the person was not under the influence of intoxicating liquor;
(2) 
An alcohol concentration of at least 0.04 but less than 0.08, no presumption shall be made that the person either was or was not under the influence of intoxicating liquor unless the person is driving a commercial vehicle and the amount of alcohol in the person's blood or breath may be considered with other competent evidence in determining whether or not the person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor;
(3) 
An alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, the arresting officer shall charge him with a violation of this section; or
(4) 
An alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more and the person is driving a commercial vehicle, it shall be presumed that the person is under the influence of intoxicating liquor. (66-8-110 NMSA 1978)
O. 
If the test performed pursuant to the Implied Consent Act is administered more than three hours after the person was driving a vehicle, the test result may be introduced as evidence of the alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath at the time of the test and the trier of fact shall determine what weight to give the test result for the purpose of determining a violation of § 12-6-12.1. (66-8-110 NMSA 1978)
P. 
The determination of alcohol concentration shall be based on the grams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood or the grams of alcohol in 210 liters of breath.
Q. 
The presumptions in Subsection N of this section do not limit the introduction of other competent evidence concerning whether or not a person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor. (66-8-110 NMSA 1978)
R. 
Nothing in this section is intended to authorize any police officer, or any judicial or probation officer, to make any arrest or to direct the performance of a blood-alcohol test, except in the performance of his official duties and as otherwise authorized by law. (66-8-104 NMSA 1978)
S. 
If a person under arrest for violation of an offense enumerated in the Motor Vehicle Code refuses upon request of a law enforcement officer to submit to chemical tests designated by the law enforcement agency as provided in § 12-6-12.1E and F, none shall be administered, except when a Municipal Judge, magistrate or district judge issues a search warrant authorizing chemical tests as provided in § 12-6-12.1E and F, upon his finding in a law enforcement officer's written affidavit that there is probable cause to believe that the person has driven a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or drug thereby causing the death or great bodily injury of another person, or there is probable cause to believe that the person has committed a felony while under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or drug and that chemical tests as provided in § 12-6-12.1E and F will produce material evidence in a felony prosecution. (66-8-111 NMSA 1978)
T. 
If a law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a person arrested for violation of Subsections A, B, C or D of this section had been driving a motor vehicle within this municipality while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drug and that upon his request, the person refused to submit to a chemical test, after being advised that failure to submit could result in revocation of his privilege to drive, then the law enforcement officer shall transmit to the Director a statement signed under penalty of perjury stating what such reasonable grounds were and stating that the person refused to submit to a chemical test after being advised of the consequences of such refusal.
U. 
On behalf of the Director, a law enforcement officer requesting a chemical test or directing the administration of a chemical test, pursuant to § 12-6-12.1E and F, shall serve immediate written notice of revocation and of right to a hearing on a person who refuses to permit chemical testing or on a person who submits to a chemical test the results of which indicate an alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath of 0.08 or more if the person is 21 years of age or older, 0.04 or more if the person is driving a commercial vehicle or 0.02 or more if the person is less than 21 years of age. Upon serving notice of revocation, the law enforcement officer shall take the license or permit of the driver, if any, and issue a temporary license valid for 20 days or, if the driver requests a hearing pursuant to NMSA 1978, § 66-8-112, valid until the date the Department issues the order following that hearing, provided that a temporary license shall not be issued to a driver without a valid license or permit. The law enforcement officer shall send the person's driver's license to the Director along with the signed statement required pursuant to Subsection S of this section. (66-8-111.1 NMSA 1978)
A. 
If a person is convicted of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drug (§ 12-6-12.1A through D) the trial judge shall be required to inquire into the past driving record of the person before sentence is entered in the matter. (66-8-110 NMSA 1978)
B. 
When a person is charged with a violation of § 12-6-12.1A through D, any plea of guilty thereafter entered in satisfaction of the charges shall include at least a plea of guilty to violation § 12-6-12.1A, B, C or D and no other disposition by plea of guilty to any other charge in satisfaction of such charge shall be authorized if:
(1) 
The results of a test performed pursuant to the Implied Consent Act discloses that the blood of the person charged contains an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more; (66-8-102 NMSA 1978 as amended)
(2) 
Four one-hundredths or more if the person is driving a commercial vehicle; or
(3) 
The defendant has refused to submit to a chemical test or tests of his breath or blood. (66-8-102 NMSA 1978)
C. 
A person under first conviction pursuant to this section shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or by a fine of not more than $999, or both, provided that if the sentence is suspended in whole or in part or deferred, the period of probation may extend beyond 90 days but shall not exceed one year. Upon a first conviction pursuant to this section, an offender shall be sentenced to not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours of community service. In addition, the offender may be required to pay a fine of $300. The offender shall be ordered by the court to participate in and complete a screening program described in Subsection F of this section and to attend a driver rehabilitation program for alcohol or drugs, also known as a "DWI school," approved by the Traffic Safety Bureau of the State Transportation Department and also may be required to participate in other rehabilitative services as the court shall determine to be necessary. In addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than 48 consecutive hours in jail. If an offender fails to complete, within a time specified by the court, any community service, screening program, treatment program or DWI school ordered by the court or fails to comply with any other condition of parole, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than an additional 48 consecutive hours in jail. Any jail sentence imposed pursuant to this section for failure to complete, within a time specified by the court, any community service, screening program, treatment program or DWI school ordered by the court or for aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement. On a first conviction pursuant to this section, time spent in jail for the offense prior to the conviction for that offense shall be credited to any term of imprisonment fixed by the court. A deferred sentence pursuant to this subsection shall be considered a first conviction for the purpose of determining subsequent convictions.
D. 
A second or third conviction pursuant to this section shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 179 days or by a fine of not more than $999, or both, provided that if the sentence is suspended in whole or part, the period of probation may extend beyond 179 days but shall not exceed one year. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary for suspension or deferment of execution of a sentence:
(1) 
Upon a second conviction, each offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than 96 consecutive hours, 48 hours of community service and a fine of $500. In addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than 96 consecutive hours. If an offender fails to complete, within a time specified by the court, any community service, screening program or treatment program ordered by the court, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than an additional seven consecutive days in jail. A penalty imposed pursuant to this subsection shall not be suspended or deferred or taken under advisement; and
(2) 
Upon a third conviction, an offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than 30 consecutive days, 96 hours of community service and a fine of $999. In addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to a jail term of not less than 60 consecutive days. If an offender fails to complete, within a time specified by the court, any community service, screening program or treatment program ordered by the court, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than an additional 60 consecutive days in jail. A penalty imposed pursuant to this subsection shall not be suspended or deferred or taken under advisement.
E. 
Fourth and subsequent offenses shall be prosecuted under state law in Magistrate or District Court. (66-8-102 NMSA 1978)
F. 
Upon any conviction pursuant to this section, an offender shall be required to participate in and complete, with a time specified by the court, an alcohol or drug abuse screening program approved by the Department of Finance and Administration and, if necessary, a treatment program approved by the court. The requirement imposed pursuant to this subsection shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement.
G. 
Upon a second or third conviction pursuant to this section, an offender shall be required to participate in and complete, within a time specified by the court:
(1) 
Not less than a twenty-eight-day inpatient, residential or in-custody substance abuse program approved by the court;
(2) 
Not less than a ninety-day outpatient treatment program approved by the court;
(3) 
A drug court program approved by the court; or
(4) 
Any other substance abuse treatment approved by the court. The requirement imposed pursuant to this subsection shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement. (66-8-102 NMSA 1978)
H. 
Upon a conviction pursuant to § 12-6-12.1, an offender shall be required to obtain an ignition interlock license and have an ignition interlock device installed and operating on all motor vehicles driven by the offender, pursuant to rules adopted by the Traffic Safety Bureau of the Department of Transportation. Unless determined by the sentencing court to be indigent, the offender shall pay all costs associated with having an ignition interlock device installed on the appropriate motor vehicles. The offender shall operate only those vehicles equipped with ignition interlock devices for:
(1) 
A period of one year, for a first offender;
(2) 
A period of two years, for a second conviction pursuant to this section;
(3) 
A period of three years, for a third conviction pursuant to this section; or
(4) 
The remainder of the offender's life, for a fourth or subsequent conviction pursuant to this section.
I. 
Five years from the date of conviction and every five years thereafter, a fourth or subsequent offender may apply to a District Court for removal of the ignition interlock device requirement provided in this section and for restoration of a driver's license. A District Court may, for good cause shown, remove the ignition interlock device requirement and order restoration of the license, provided that the offender has not been subsequently convicted of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs. Good cause may include an alcohol screening and proof from the interlock vendor that the person has not had violations of the interlock device. (66-8-102 NMSA 1978)
J. 
Except as otherwise prohibited in this section, a Municipal Judge may suspend, in whole or in part, the execution of sentence or place the defendant on probation for a period not exceeding one year on terms and conditions that Municipal Judge deems best, or both, or defer sentence. If the Municipal Judge decides to defer the execution of a sentence, such deferral shall be granted only as allowed in Subsection K of this section. A suspension of execution of sentence or probation, or both, as allowed pursuant to this section, shall be granted only when the Municipal Judge is satisfied it will serve the ends of justice and of the public, and that the defendant's liability for any fine or other punishment imposed if fully discharged upon successful completion of the terms and conditions of probation.
K. 
If a person is convicted of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs in violation of § 12-6-12.1A, B, C or D, a first offender, at the discretion of a trial court after a presentence investigation, including an inquiry to the Motor Vehicle Division of the Transportation Department concerning the driver's driving record, may receive a deferred sentence on the condition that the driver attend a driver rehabilitation program, also known as the "driving while intoxicated school," approved by the court and the Division and such other rehabilitative services as the court may determine to be necessary; however, imposition of a deferred sentence shall classify the person as a first offender. The Municipal Court shall forward to the Division the abstract of all proceedings and the report of the disposition of the case. For the purpose of this subsection, cannabis, as defined by NMSA 1978, § 26-2C-2, shall be classified as a drug.
[Amended 12-8-2021 by Ord. No. 21-18; 10-11-2023 by Ord. No. 23-08]
L. 
A person convicted of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs in violation of § 12-6-12.1A, B, C or D shall be assessed, in addition to any other fee or fine, a fee of $85 to defray the cost of chemical and other tests used to determine the influence of alcohol or drugs. Additionally, the person shall be assessed a fee of $75 to fund comprehensive community programs for the prevention of driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or for other traffic safety purposes. The Municipal Court shall collect the fees and maintain the fees in separate funds and transfer the fees along with other funds collected by the Court per NMSA 178, § 35-14-7. The municipality shall maintain the fees pursuant to this subsection in separate funds and transfer the fees collected pursuant to this subsection to the Administrative Office of the Courts for credit to the crime laboratory fund and the traffic safety fund. (NMSA 1978, § 31-12-7 through 31-12-9)
[Amended 1-16-2013 by Ord. No. 12-20]
M. 
With respect to this section and notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, if an offender's sentence was suspended or deferred, in whole or in part, and the offender violates any condition of probation, the court may impose any sentence that the court could have originally imposed and credit shall not be given for time served by the offender on probation. (66-8-102 NMSA 1978)
N. 
As used in this section and in § 12-6-12.1, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BODILY INJURY
An injury to a person not likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the person, but does cause painful temporary disfigurement or temporary loss or impairment of the functions of any member or organ of the person's body.
COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE
A motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles used in commerce to transport passengers or property if the motor vehicle:
(1) 
Has a gross combination weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds inclusive of a towed unit with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds;
(2) 
Has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 26,000 pounds;
(3) 
Is designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver; or
(4) 
Is of any size and is used in the transportation of hazardous materials, which requires the motor vehicle to be placarded under applicable law.
CONVICTION
Adjudication of guilt and does not include imposition of a sentence.
O. 
A conviction pursuant to a municipal or county ordinance in New Mexico or a law of any other jurisdiction, territory, or possession of the United States or of a tribe where that ordinance is equivalent to New Mexico law for driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, prescribing penalties for driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, shall be deemed to be a conviction pursuant to this section for purposes of determining whether a conviction is a second or subsequent conviction. (66-8-102.M NMSA 1978)
P. 
A law enforcement officer making an arrest for a violation of the provisions of § 12-6-12.2 or of similar municipal or county ordinances shall use standard arrest reports and procedures developed and approved by the Department of Public Safety in accordance with Section 8 of Laws of 2005, Chapter 269.
A. 
Any person who drives any vehicle carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others and without due caution and circumspection and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property is guilty of reckless driving.
B. 
Every person convicted of reckless driving shall be punished:
(1) 
Upon a first conviction, by imprisonment for not less than five days nor more than 90 days, or by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100, or both; and
(2) 
On a second or subsequent conviction, by imprisonment for not less than 10 days nor more than 90 days, or by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $300, or both. (66-8-113 NMSA 1978)
A. 
Any person operating a vehicle on the street shall give his full time and entire attention to the operation of the vehicle.
B. 
Any person who operates a vehicle in a careless, inattentive or imprudent manner, without due regard for the width, grade curves, corners, traffic, weather and road conditions and all other attendant circumstances is guilty of careless driving. (66-8-114 NMSA 1978)
A. 
Except those expressly exempted by NMSA 1978, § 66-5-4, no person shall drive any motor vehicle or moped upon a street in this municipality unless he holds a valid license issued under the provisions of the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Code.
B. 
Any person licensed under the provisions of the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Code, or expressly exempted from licensure, may exercise the privilege granted upon all streets and highways in this municipality. (66-5-2 NMSA 1978)
C. 
No person, whether a resident or nonresident of the State of New Mexico, shall operate a motor vehicle or moped upon a street in this municipality in violation of any restrictions with respect to the type of, or special mechanical devices required on, a motor vehicle which the licensee may operate or any other restrictions applicable to the licensee. (*)
D. 
Every licensee shall have his driver's license in his immediate possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle or moped, and shall display the same upon demand of a magistrate or police officer. However, no person charged with violating this section shall be convicted if he produces in court a driver's license theretofore issued to him and valid at the time of his arrest. (66-5-16 NMSA 1978)
A. 
No person shall:
(1) 
Display or cause or permit to be displayed or have in his possession any canceled, revoked or suspended driver's license or permit;
(2) 
Lend his driver's license or permit to any other person or knowingly permit the use thereof by another;
(3) 
Display or represent as one's own any driver's license or permit not issued to him;
(4) 
Fail or refuse to surrender to the court, upon its lawful demand, any driver's license or permit which has been suspended, revoked or canceled;
(5) 
Permit any unlawful use of driver's license or permit issued to him; (66-5-37 NMSA 1978)
(6) 
Drive a motor vehicle on any public street or highway at a time when his privilege to do so is suspended or revoked and who knows or should have known that his license was suspended or revoked. Upon conviction, the person shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than four days nor more than 90 days or participation for an equivalent period of time in a certified alternative sentencing program, and there may be imposed in addition a fine of not more than $500. When a person pays any or all of the cost of participating in a certified alternative sentencing program, the court may apply that payment as a deduction to any fine imposed by the court. Notwithstanding any other provision of law for suspension or deferment of execution of sentence, if the person's privilege to drive was revoked for driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or a violation of the Implied Consent Act, upon conviction under this section, that person shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than seven consecutive days and shall be fined not less than $300 or not more than $500, and the fine and imprisonment shall not be suspended, deferred or taken under advisement. No other disposition by plea of guilty to any other charge in satisfaction of a charge under this section shall be authorized if the person's privilege to drive was revoked for driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs or a violation of the Implied Consent Act. (66-5-39 NMSA 1978)
B. 
In addition to any other penalties imposed pursuant to the provisions of this section, when a person is convicted pursuant to the provisions of this section, the motor vehicle the person was driving shall be immobilized by an immobilization device for 30 days, unless immobilization of the motor vehicle poses an imminent danger to the health, safety or employment of the convicted person's immediate family or the family of the owner of the motor vehicle. The convicted person shall bear the cost of immobilizing the motor vehicle. (66-5-39 NMSA 1978)
No driver of a motor vehicle shall willfully fail or refuse to bring his vehicle to a stop, or otherwise flee or attempt to elude a pursuing police vehicle, when given visual or audible signal to bring the vehicle to a stop.
A. 
The signal given by the police officer may be by hand, voice, emergency light or siren.
B. 
The officer giving the signal shall be in uniform, prominently displaying his badge of office, and his vehicle shall be appropriately marked showing it to be an official police vehicle. (*)
No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key, and effectively setting the brake, or placing the transmission in parking position thereon and, when standing upon any grade, turning the front wheels in such a manner that the vehicle will be held by the curb or will leave the street if the brake fails. (66-7-353 NMSA 1978)
A. 
The driver of a vehicle shall not back it:
(1) 
Unless the movement can be made with reasonable safety and without interfering with other traffic;
(2) 
Upon any shoulder or roadway of any controlled-access street, or upon the exit or entry road of any controlled-access street; (66-7-354 NMSA 1978)
(3) 
Into an intersection or around a corner unless preceded by an observer to safely direct the movement; or
(4) 
From a private driveway into any street unless the movement can be made with safety and without interfering with other traffic on the street. (*)
B. 
In no case shall a vehicle be backed more than 60 feet unless preceded by an observer to safely direct the movement. (*)
A. 
No person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded or when there are in the front seat such number of persons, exceeding three, as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides of the vehicle or as to interfere with the driver's control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.
B. 
No passenger in a vehicle shall ride in such position as to interfere with driver's view ahead or to the sides, or to interfere with his control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle. (66-7-357 NMSA 1978)
It is unlawful to operate in this municipality any motor vehicle equipped with a television screen, of whatever type, upon which images may be projected or shown, if the screen is within the normal view of the driver of the motor vehicle unless the television is solely used as an aid to the driver in the operation of the vehicle. As used in this section "television screen" does not include closed circuit monitors or computer terminal monitors used by law enforcement agencies in law enforcement motor vehicles. (66-7-358 NMSA 1978)
The driver of any motor vehicle when traveling upon a down grade shall not coast with the clutch disengaged. (66-7-360 NMSA 1978)
The driver of any vehicle, other than one on official business, shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than 500 feet, or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm. (66-7-361 NMSA 1978)
No vehicle shall be driven over any unprotected hose of a Fire Department when laid down on any street or private driveway, without the consent of the Fire Department official in command. (66-7-362 NMSA 1978)
No vehicle shall at any time be driven through or within a safety zone. (66-7-361 NMSA 1978)
No driver of a vehicle shall operate or be in control of a vehicle on other than the portions of streets improved, designed and ordinarily used for vehicular traffic, private roads, driveways or alleys in this municipality, except as otherwise provided by this chapter or as otherwise authorized or designated by the Administrator or his designated representative. (*)
A. 
No person shall drive any vehicle on or across a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway.
B. 
No person shall drive on private property, except upon a permanent or authorized temporary driveway or parking area, without the express authorization of the owner, lessee or other person authorized by the owner to control the use of the private property. (*)
No person shall:
(1) 
Drive a vehicle while engaged in any activity which interferes with the safe operation of the vehicle;
(2) 
Drive while having in his lap any person, adult or minor, or any animal;
(3) 
Drive while seated in the lap of another person while the vehicle is in motion;
(4) 
Drive a vehicle while having either arm around another person; or
(5) 
Operate a motor vehicle's equipment, including but not limited to the vehicle horn or lights, in such manner as to distract other motorists on the public way or in such a manner as to disturb the peace. (*)
(6) 
It shall be unlawful for any person, except as otherwise provided below, to operate a motor vehicle upon a public highway while using a mobile telephone to engage in a call or create, send or read text messages while such vehicle is in motion.[1]
(a) 
The following definitions apply:
ENGAGE IN A CALL
Talking into, dialing or listening on a hand-held mobile telephone, but shall not include holding a mobile telephone to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of such telephone.
HAND-HELD MOBILE TELEPHONE
A mobile telephone with which a user engages in a call using at least one hand (or prosthetic device or aid in the case of a physically disabled person).
HANDS-FREE MOBILE TELEPHONE
A mobile telephone that has an internal feature or function, or that is equipped with an attachment or addition, whether or not permanently part of such mobile telephone, by which a user engages in a call without the use of either hand (or prosthetic device or aid in the case of a physically disabled person), whether or not the use of either hand (or prosthetic device) is necessary to activate, deactivate or initiate a function of such telephone.
IMMEDIATE PROXIMITY
An operator of a motor vehicle who holds a mobile telephone to, or in the immediate proximity of, his or her ear while such vehicle is in motion is presumed to be engaging in a call within the meaning of this subsection. The presumption established by this subsection is rebuttable by evidence tending to show that the operator was not engaged in a call. Immediate proximity shall mean that distance as permits the operator of a mobile telephone to hear telecommunications transmitted over such mobile telephone, but shall not require physical contact with such operator's ear.
MOBILE TELEPHONE
The device used by subscribers and other users of wireless telephone service to access such service and shall include personal digital assistants.
PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT
A device operated using a wireless telecommunications service that provides for data communication other than by voice.
WIRELESS TELEPHONE SERVICE
Two-way real time voice telecommunications service that is interconnected to a public switched telephone network and commonly referred to as "cellular service" or "personal communication service."
(b) 
The following shall not apply to:
(a.) 
The use of a mobile telephone for the sole purpose of communicating with any of the following regarding an emergency situation: an emergency response operator; a hospital, physician's office or health clinic; an ambulance company or corps; a fire department, district or company; or a police department;
(b.) 
Any law enforcement, public safety or police officers, emergency service officials, first aid, emergency medical technicians and personnel, or any fire safety officials in the performance of duties arising out of and in the course of their employment as such; or
(c.) 
The use of a hands-free mobile telephone when being used in a hands-free manner.
(c) 
The penalty for a first conviction or plea of nolo contendere for a violation of the above shall be $100. The penalty for all subsequent convictions or pleas of nolo contendere for violation of the above shall be $200.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II).
A. 
Unless written permission setting out pertinent conditions is obtained from the Chief of the Municipal Police, and then only in accordance with such conditions (*), no person shall drive a vehicle on a street in any race, speed competition or contest, drag race or acceleration contest, test of physical endurance, exhibition of speed or acceleration, or for the purpose of making a speed record, whether or not the speed is in excess of the maximum speed prescribed by law, and no person shall in any manner participate in any such race, drag race, competition, contest, test or exhibition.
B. 
As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DRAG RACE
The operation of two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other, or the operation of one or more vehicles over a common selected course from the same point to the same point for the purpose of comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of the vehicle or vehicles within a certain distance or time limit.
EXHIBITION DRIVING
Consists of intentionally fishtailing, peeling out, losing traction, and burning of rubber while operating a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, includes intentionally operating the vehicle on a single tire (commonly known as a "wheelie"); operating a vehicle from a standing position; or operating the vehicle without at least one hand gripping the handlebars. (*)
RACE
The use of one or more vehicles in a manner to outgain or outdistance another vehicle, prevent another vehicle from passing, arrive at a given destination ahead of another vehicle or test the physical stamina or endurance of drivers over long-distance routes. (66-8-115 NMSA 1978)
A. 
No driver of a vehicle shall drive between the vehicles comprising a funeral or other authorized procession while the procession is in motion and when the vehicles in the procession are conspicuously designated as required in this section. This provision shall not apply at intersections where traffic is controlled by police officers.
B. 
Each driver in a funeral or other procession shall drive as near to the right-hand edge of the street as practicable and shall follow the vehicle ahead as closely as is practicable and safe.
C. 
A funeral composed of a procession of vehicles shall be identified by the display upon the outside of each vehicle of a pennant or other identifying insignia or by such other method as may be determined and designated by the Traffic Division.
D. 
No funeral, procession or parade containing 200 or more persons or 50 or more vehicles, except the Armed Forces of the United States, the military forces of this state and the forces of the Police and Fire Departments, shall occupy, march or proceed along any street except in accordance with a permit issued by the Chief of Police and such other regulations as are set forth herein which may apply. (*)
A. 
The driver of a vehicle approaching a totally or partially blind pedestrian who is carrying a cane predominantly white or metallic in color, with or with out a red tip, or using a guide dog shall take all necessary precautions to avoid injury to the blind pedestrian. Any driver who fails to take necessary precautions shall be liable in damages for any injury caused to the pedestrian.
B. 
A totally blind or partially blind pedestrian not carrying a cane or using a guide dog shall have all the rights and privileges conferred by law on other persons, and the failure of a totally blind pedestrian to carry a cane or to use a guide dog shall not be held to constitute nor be evidence of contributory negligence. (28-7-4 NMSA 1978)
It is unlawful for the owner, or any other person employing or otherwise directing the driver of any vehicle, to require or to permit the operation of such vehicle upon a street in this municipality in any manner contrary to this chapter. (66-8-121 NMSA 1978)
A. 
No person shall cause or knowingly permit his child or ward under the age of 18 years to drive a motor vehicle upon any street when such minor is not authorized under state law or is in violation of any of the provisions of the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Code. (66-5-40 NMSA 1978)
B. 
No person shall authorize or knowingly permit a motor vehicle owned by him or under his control to be driven upon any street by any person who is not authorized under state law or is in violation of any of the provisions of the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Code. (66-5-41 NMSA 1978)
Every person who commits, attempts to commit, conspires to commit or aids or abets in the commission of any act declared herein to be unlawful, whether individually or in connection with one or more other persons or as a principal, agent or accessory, shall be guilty of such offense, and every person who falsely, fraudulently, forcibly or willfully induces, causes, coerces, requires, permits or directs another to violate any provision of this chapter or of the Motor Vehicle Code is likewise guilty of such offense. (66-8-120 NMSA 1978)
A. 
No owner or person in control of a motor vehicle shall permit it to be driven or operated by any person who is a habitual user of narcotic drugs or by any person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotic drugs or any other drug to a degree which renders him incapable of safely driving the vehicle.
B. 
No person under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotic drug or other drug to a degree which renders him incapable of driving safely shall start or attempt to operate a vehicle. (*)
A. 
No person shall ride or permit another person to ride in or on any portion of a vehicle not designated or intended for the use of passengers.
B. 
This provision shall not apply to any employee engaged in the necessary discharge of a duty or to persons riding within truck bodies in space intended for merchandise. (*)
No person shall leave any type of trailer unhitched upon a street. (*)
A. 
No person shall individually or in association with one or more others do any of the following:
(1) 
Purposely, and without authority from the owner, start or cause to be started the engine of any motor vehicle;
(2) 
Purposely and maliciously shift or change the starting device or gears of a standing motor vehicle to a position other than that in which they were left by the owner or driver of said motor vehicle;
(3) 
Purposely scratch or damage the chassis, running gear, body, sides, tip covering or upholstering of a motor vehicle which is the property of another;
(4) 
Purposely destroy any part of a motor vehicle or purposely cut, mash, mark, or in any other way destroy or damage any part, attachment, fastening or appurtenance of a motor vehicle, without the permission of the owner;
(5) 
Purposely drain or start the drainage of any radiator, oil tank or gas tank upon a motor vehicle, without the permission of the owner;
(6) 
Purposely put any metallic or other substance or liquid in the radiator, carburetor, oil tank, grease cup, oilers, lamps, gas tanks or machinery of the motor vehicle with the intent to injure or damage the same or impede the working of the machinery thereof;
(7) 
Maliciously tighten or loosen any bracket, bolt, wire, nut, screw or other fastening on a motor vehicle; or
(8) 
Purposely release the brake upon a standing motor vehicle with the intent to injure said machine. (66-3-506 NMSA 1978)
B. 
The foregoing provisions shall not apply to a police officer or member of the Fire Department or street maintenance department who in discharge of his duty legally moves or causes to be moved any unattended vehicle, nor to any person who moves the vehicle at the direction of or in compliance with orders from a police officer or member of the Fire Department or street maintenance department who in the discharge of his duties legally orders or directs the moving of the unattended vehicle. (*)
A. 
No person shall throw or deposit upon any street any glass bottle, glass, nails, tacks, wire, cans or any other substance likely to injure any person, animal or vehicle upon such street.
B. 
Any person who drops, or permits to be dropped or thrown, upon any street any destructive or injurious material shall immediately remove the same or cause it to be removed.
C. 
Any person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a street shall remove any glass or other injurious substance dropped upon the street from such vehicle. (66-7-364 NMSA 1978)
D. 
No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any street unless such vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent any of its load from dropping, sifting, leaking, or otherwise escaping therefrom, except that sand may be dropped for the purpose of securing traction, or water or other substance may be sprinkled on a street in cleaning or maintaining such street.
E. 
No person shall operate on any street any vehicle or combination of vehicles with any load unless said load and any covering thereon is securely fastened so as to prevent said covering or load from becoming loose, detached, or in any manner a hazard to other users of the street. (66-7-407 NMSA 1978)
No person or corporation shall direct the operation of or operate any railroad train or bus in such manner to prevent the use of any street for purposes of travel for a period of time longer than five minutes. (*)
A. 
No person shall board or alight from any moving vehicle or any vehicle which is stopped in traffic.
B. 
No person shall alight or enter a vehicle except when it is stopped at a curb or in a passenger loading zone. (*)
No person shall:
(1) 
Open the door of a vehicle on the side near moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so and the door can be opened without interfering with the movement of traffic; or
(2) 
Leave a door of a vehicle open on the side of the vehicle near moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers. (66-7-367 NMSA 1978)
No person shall:
(1) 
Occupy a house trailer while it is being towed upon a street; or
(2) 
Tow a house trailer on any street when the house trailer is occupied by any person. (66-7-366 NMSA 1978)
A. 
It is unlawful for any person, during the hours of darkness, to ride a horse or other animal upon the traveled portion of any street which is normally used by motor vehicles.
B. 
It is unlawful for any person negligently to permit livestock to wander or graze upon any fenced street at any time or, during the hours of darkness, to drive livestock along or upon any street which is normally used by motor vehicles.
C. 
Owners of livestock ranging in pastures through which unfenced roadways pass shall not be liable for damages by reason of injury or damage to persons or property occasioned by collisions of vehicles using said roadways and livestock or animals ranging in said pastures unless such owner of livestock is guilty of specific negligence other than allowing his animals to range in said pasture. (66-7-363 NMSA 1978)
The driver of a motor vehicle traveling through defiles or canyons or on mountain streets shall hold such motor vehicle under control and as near the right-hand edge of the street as reasonably possible. (66-7-359 NMSA 1978)
A. 
A person shall not operate a passenger car, van or pickup truck in this state, except for an authorized emergency vehicle, public transportation or school bus, unless all passengers less than 18 years of age are properly restrained.
B. 
Each person less than 18 years of age shall be properly secured in a child passenger restraint device or by a seat belt, unless all seating positions equipped with seat belts are occupied, as follows:
(1) 
Children less than one year of age shall be properly secured in a rear-facing child passenger restraint device that meets federal standards, in the rear seat of a vehicle that is equipped with a rear seat. If the vehicle is not equipped with a rear seat, the child may ride in the front seat of the vehicle if the passenger-side air bag is deactivated or if the vehicle is not equipped with a deactivation switch for the passenger-side air bag;
(2) 
Children one year of age through four years of age, regardless of weight, or children who weigh less than 40 pounds, regardless of age, shall be properly secured in a child passenger restraint device that meets federal standards;
(3) 
Children five years of age through six years of age, regardless of weight, or children who weigh less than 60 pounds, regardless of age, shall be properly secured in either a child booster seat or an appropriate child passenger restraint device that meets federal standards; and
(4) 
Children seven years of age through 12 years of age shall be properly secured in a child passenger device or by a seat belt.
C. 
A child is properly secured in an adult seat belt when the lap belt properly fits across the child's thighs, hips, and not the abdomen. The shoulder strap shall cross the center of the child's chest and not the neck, allowing the child to sit all the way back against the vehicle seat with knees bent over the seat edge.
D. 
Failure to be secured by a child passenger restraint device or by a safety belt as required by this section shall not in any instance constitute fault or negligence and shall not limit or apportion damages. (66-7-369 NMSA 1978)
E. 
Failure to be secured by a child passenger restraint device or by a safety belt as required by this section shall not in any instance constitute fault or negligence and shall not limit or apportion damages. (66-7-369 NMSA 1978)
A. 
Except as provided by § 12-6-13.12 and in Subsection B of this section, each occupant of a motor vehicle having a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less manufactured with safety belts in compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208 shall have a safety belt properly fastened about his body at all times when the vehicle is in motion on any street or highway.
B. 
This section shall not apply to an occupant of a motor vehicle having a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less who possesses a written statement from a licensed physician that he is unable for medical reasons to wear a safety belt or to a rural letter carrier of the United States Postal Service while performing the duties of a rural letter carrier. (66-7-372 NMSA 1978)
C. 
Each person violating § 12-6-13.13A shall be fined an amount not less than $25 or more than $50, including court costs.
D. 
Failure to be secured by a child passenger restraint device or by a safety belt as required in this section shall not in any instance constitute fault or negligence and shall not limit or apportion damages.
E. 
The provisions of this section shall be enforced whether or not associated with the enforcement of any other statute. (66-7-373 NMSA 1978)
A. 
No person shall knowingly drink any alcoholic beverage while in a motor vehicle upon any street within this municipality.
B. 
No person shall have in his possession on his person, while in a motor vehicle upon any street within this municipality, any bottle, can or other receptacle containing any alcoholic beverage which has been opened or had its seal broken or the contents of which have been partially removed.
C. 
It is unlawful for the registered owner of any motor vehicle to knowingly keep or allow to be kept in a motor vehicle, when the vehicle is upon any street within this municipality, any bottle, can or other receptacle containing any alcoholic beverage which has been opened or had its seal broken or the contents of which have been partially removed, unless the container is kept in:
(1) 
The trunk of the vehicle or in some other area of the vehicle not normally occupied by the driver or passengers if the vehicle is not equipped with a trunk;
(2) 
The living quarters of a motor home or recreational vehicle;
(3) 
A truck camper;
(4) 
The bed of a pickup truck when the bed is occupied by passengers.
A utility or glove compartment shall be deemed to be within the area occupied by the driver and passengers. This section does not apply to the driver or owner of or any passenger in a bus, taxicab or limousine for hire licensed to transport passengers pursuant to the Motor Carrier Act or proper legal authority.
D. 
The provisions of this section do not apply to:
(1) 
Any person who, upon the recommendation of a doctor, carries alcoholic beverages in that person's motor vehicle for medicinal purposes;
(2) 
Any clergyman or his agent who carries alcoholic beverages for religious purposes in the clergyman's or his agent's motor vehicle; or
(3) 
Any person who is employed by a person licensed by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, while discharging his duties as an employee. (66-8-138)
E. 
Penalties.
(1) 
Whoever is guilty of a second or subsequent violation of any provision of this chapter shall be sentenced pursuant to this code.
(2) 
In addition to any other penalty or disposition ordered pursuant to law, upon conviction for a second or subsequent violation of the provisions of § 12-6-13.14, the convicted person shall have his driver's license revoked for a period of three months upon a second violation and for one year upon a third or subsequent violation. (66-8-139 NMSA 1978)
F. 
"Alcoholic beverages" defined. As used in this chapter "alcoholic beverages" means distilled or rectified spirits, potable alcohol, brandy, whisky, rum, gin, aromatic bitters bearing the federal internal revenue strip stamps or any similar alcoholic beverage, including all blended or fermented beverages, dilutions or mixtures of one or more of the foregoing containing more than 1/2 of 1% alcohol but excluding medicinal bitters. (66-1-4.1 NMSA 1978)
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 12-6-13.15, Littering, was repealed 12-9-2020 by Ord. No. 20-13. For current provisions, see Ch. 290, Weeds and Anti-Litter.
Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic-control signals at intersections as provided in § 12-5-6, but at all other places pedestrians shall be accorded the privileges and shall be subject to the restrictions provided in this chapter. (66-7-333 NMSA 1978)
A. 
When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the street within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the street upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the street as to be in danger.
B. 
No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
C. 
Subsection A shall not apply under the conditions stated in § 12-6-14.4.
D. 
Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the street, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle. (66-7-334 NMSA 1978)
Pedestrians shall move, whenever practicable, upon the right half of crosswalks. (66-7-338 NMSA 1978)
A. 
Every pedestrian crossing a street at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the street.
B. 
Any pedestrian crossing a street at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the street.
C. 
Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk. (66-7-335 NMSA 1978)
D. 
No pedestrian shall cross a street intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices, and, when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements. (*)
A. 
Where sidewalks are provided it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent street.
B. 
Where sidewalks are not provided any pedestrian walking along and upon a street shall, when practicable, walk only on the left side of the street or its shoulder facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction. (66-7-339 NMSA 1978)
A. 
No person shall stand in a street for the purpose of soliciting a ride, employment or business from the occupant of any vehicle.
B. 
No person shall stand on or in proximity to a street for the purpose of soliciting the watching or guarding of any vehicle while parked or about to be parked on a street. (66-7-340 NMSA 1978)
A. 
No pedestrian shall enter or remain upon any bridge or approach thereto beyond the bridge signal, gate or barrier after a bridge operation signal indication has been given.
B. 
No pedestrian shall pass through, around, over or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad grade crossing or bridge while the gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed. (*)
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this chapter, every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any street and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any confused or incapacitated person upon a street. (66-7-337 NMSA 1978)
A. 
The provisions of Article VI of this chapter relating to the operation of vehicles, refer exclusively to the operation of vehicles upon the streets or highways, except where a different place is specifically referred to in a given section.
B. 
The provisions of Article IV of this chapter and §§ 12-6-12.1 through 12-6-12.3 of this chapter shall apply upon the streets and highways and elsewhere throughout this municipality. (66-7-2 NMSA 1978)
A. 
As used in this section, "electric personal assistive mobility device" means a self-balancing device having two nontandem wheels designed to transport a single person by means of an electric propulsion system with an average power of one horsepower and with a maximum speed on a paved level surface of less than 20 miles per hour when powered solely by its propulsion system and while being ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds.
B. 
An electric personal assistive mobility device shall be equipped with:
(1) 
Front, rear and side reflectors;
(2) 
A braking system that enables the operator to bring the device to a controlled stop; and
(3) 
If operated at any time from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, a lamp that emits a white light that sufficiently illuminates the area in front of the device.
C. 
The Director of the Traffic Safety Bureau of the State Department of Transportation shall by rule prescribe motor vehicle safety standards applicable to electric personal assistive mobility devices.
D. 
An operator of an electric personal assistive mobility device traveling on a sidewalk, roadway or bicycle path shall have the rights and duties of a pedestrian, and shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians. An operator shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.
E. 
Except as provided in this section, no other provisions of this chapter shall apply to electric personal assistive mobility devices.
F. 
An operator who violates a provision of Subsection B, C or D of this section shall receive a warning for the first offense. For a second offense, the operator shall be punished by a fine of $10. For a third or subsequent offense, in addition to the fine, the electric personal assistive mobility device shall be impounded for up to 30 days.
G. 
This section does not apply to personal assistive mobility devices used by persons with disabilities. (66-3-1102 NMSA 1978)
As used in §§ 12-6-17 through 12-5-17.10, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BODILY INJURY
An injury to a person that is not likely to cause death or great bodily harm to the person, but does cause painful temporary disfigurement or temporary loss or impairment of the functions of any member or organ of the person's body.
CONVICTION
An adjudication of guilt and does not include imposition of a sentence.
MOTORBOAT
Any boat, personal watercraft or other type of vessel propelled by machinery, whether or not machinery is the principle source of propulsion. "Motorboat" includes a vessel propelled or designed to be propelled by a sail, but does not include a sailboard or a windsurf board. "Motorboat" does not include a houseboat or any other vessel that is moored on the water, but not moving on the water.
OPERATE
To physically handle the controls of a motorboat that is moving on the water.
A. 
It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor to operate a motorboat.
B. 
It is unlawful for a person who is under the influence of any drug to a degree that renders him incapable of safely operating a motorboat to operate a motorboat.
C. 
It is unlawful for a person who has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more in his blood or breath to operate a motorboat.
D. 
Aggravated boating while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs consists of a person who:
(1) 
Has an alcohol concentration of 0.16 or more in his blood or breath while operating a motorboat;
(2) 
Has caused bodily injury to a human being as a result of the unlawful operation of a motorboat while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs; or
(3) 
Refused to submit to chemical testing, as provided for in the Boating While Intoxicated Act,[1] and in the judgment of the court, based upon evidence of intoxication presented to the court, was under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
[1]
Editor's Note: See NMSA 1978, § 66-13-1 et seq.
E. 
Every person under first conviction pursuant to this section shall be punished, notwithstanding the provisions of NMSA 1978, § 31-18-13, by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or by a fine of not more than $500, or both, provided that if the sentence is suspended in whole or in part or deferred, the period of probation may extend beyond 90 days but shall not exceed one year. The offender shall be ordered by the court to attend a boating safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. An offender ordered by the court to attend a boating safety course shall provide the court with proof that the offender successfully completed the course within seven months of his conviction or prior to completion of his probation, whichever period of time is less. In addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated boating while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than 48 consecutive hours in jail and may be fined not more than $750. On a first conviction under this section, any time spent in jail for the offense prior to the conviction for that offense shall be credited to any term of imprisonment fixed by the court. A deferred sentence pursuant to this subsection shall be considered a first conviction for the purpose of determining subsequent convictions.
F. 
A second or subsequent conviction pursuant to this section shall be punished, notwithstanding the provisions of NMSA 1978, § 31-18-13, by imprisonment for not more than 364 days or by a fine of not more than $750, or both, provided that if the sentence is suspended in whole or in part, the period of probation shall not exceed one year. In addition to those penalties, when an offender commits aggravated boating while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the offender shall be sentenced to not less than 48 consecutive hours in jail and may be fined not more than $1,000.
When a complaint or information alleges a violation of § 12-6-17.2 any plea of guilty thereafter entered in satisfaction of the charges shall include at least a plea of guilty to the violation of one of the subsections of § 12-6-17.2, and no other disposition by plea of guilty to any other charge in satisfaction of the charge shall be authorized if the results of a test performed pursuant to that act disclose that the blood or breath of the person charged contains an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more.
Only a physician, licensed professional or practical nurse or laboratory technician or technologist employed by a hospital or physician shall withdraw blood from a person in the performance of a blood-alcohol or drug test. A physician, nurse, technician or technologist who withdraws blood from a person in the performance of a blood-alcohol or drug test that has been directed by a law enforcement officer, or by a judicial or probation officer, shall not be held liable in a civil or criminal action for assault, battery, false imprisonment or any conduct of a law enforcement officer, except for negligence, nor shall a person assisting in the performance of the test, or a hospital wherein blood is withdrawn in the performance of the test, be subject to civil or criminal liability for assault, battery, false imprisonment or any conduct of a law enforcement officer, except for negligence.
Nothing in this chapter is intended to authorize a law enforcement officer, or a judicial or probation officer, to make an arrest or direct the performance of a blood-alcohol or drug test, except in the performance of his official duties or as otherwise authorized by law.
A. 
A person who operates a motorboat within this state shall be deemed to have given consent, subject to the provisions of the Boating While Intoxicated Act,[1] to chemical tests of his blood or breath or both, approved by the Scientific Laboratory Division of the Department of Health pursuant to the provisions of NMSA 1978, § 24-1-22, as determined by a law enforcement officer, or for the purposes of determining the drug or alcohol content of his blood if arrested for any offense arising out of acts alleged to have been committed while the person was operating a motorboat while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or drug.
[1]
Editor's Note: See NMSA 1978, § 66-13-1 et seq.
B. 
The arrested person shall be advised by a law enforcement officer that failure to submit to a chemical test may be introduced into evidence in court and that the court, upon conviction, may impose increased penalties for the person's failure to submit to a chemical test.
C. 
A test of blood or breath, or both, approved by the Scientific Laboratory Division of the Department of Health pursuant to the provisions of NMSA 1978, § 24-1-22, shall be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer having reasonable grounds to believe the person to have been operating a motorboat while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or drug.
D. 
A person who operates a motorboat in this state and who is involved in a fatal boating incident shall be deemed to have given consent, subject to the provisions of the Boating While Intoxicated Act, to mandatory chemical tests of his blood or breath, or both, as determined by a law enforcement officer and approved by the Scientific Laboratory Division of the Department of Health pursuant to the provisions of NMSA 1978, § 24-1-22.
A person who is dead, unconscious or otherwise in a condition rendering him incapable of refusal shall be deemed not to have withdrawn the consent provided by the Boating While Intoxicated Act,[1] and the test designated by the law enforcement officer may be administered.
[1]
Editor's Note: See NMSA 1978, § 66-13-1 et seq.
A. 
Only the persons authorized by the Boating While Intoxicated Act[1] shall withdraw blood from a person for the purpose of determining its alcohol or drug content. This limitation does not apply to the taking of samples of breath.
[1]
Editor's Note: See NMSA 1978, § 66-13-1 et seq.
B. 
The person tested shall be advised by the law enforcement officer of the person's right to be given an opportunity to arrange for a physician, licensed professional or practical nurse or laboratory technician or technologist who is employed by a hospital or physician of his own choosing to perform a chemical test in addition to a test performed at the direction of a law enforcement officer.
C. 
Upon the request of the person tested, full information concerning the test performed at the direction of the law enforcement officer shall be made available to him as soon as it is available from the person performing the test.
D. 
The agency represented by the law enforcement officer at whose direction the chemical test is performed shall pay for the chemical test.
E. 
If a person exercises his right under Subsection B of this section to have a chemical test performed upon him by a person of his own choosing, the cost of that test shall be paid by the agency represented by the law enforcement officer at whose direction a chemical test was administered pursuant to § 12-6-17.6.
A. 
The results of a test performed pursuant to the Boating While Intoxicated Act[1] may be introduced into evidence in a civil action or criminal action arising out of the acts alleged to have been committed by the person tested for operating a motorboat while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
[1]
Editor's Note: See NMSA 1978, § 66-13-1 et seq.
B. 
When the blood or breath of the person tested contains:
(1) 
An alcohol concentration of 0.05 or less, it shall be presumed that the person was not under the influence of intoxicating liquor; or
(2) 
An alcohol concentration of more than 0.05 but less than 0.08, no presumption shall be made that the person either was or was not under the influence of intoxicating liquor. However, the amount of alcohol in the person's blood or breath may be considered with other competent evidence in determining whether the person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
C. 
When the blood or breath of the person tested contains an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more, the arresting officer shall charge him with a violation of § 12-7-17.2.
D. 
The determination of alcohol concentration shall be based on the grams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood or the grams of alcohol in 210 liters of breath.
E. 
The alcohol concentration in a person's blood or breath shall be determined by a chemical test administered to the person within three hours of the alleged boating while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. In a prosecution pursuant to the provisions of the Boating While Intoxicated Act, it is a rebuttable presumption that a person is in violation of the provisions of that Act if he has an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more in his blood or breath as determined by a chemical test administered to the person within three hours of the alleged boating while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. If the chemical test is administered more than three hours after the alleged boating while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, the test result is admissible as evidence of the alcohol concentration in the person's blood or breath at the time of the alleged boating and the trier of fact shall determine what weight to give the test result.
F. 
The presumptions in Subsection B of this section do not limit the introduction of other competent evidence concerning whether the person was under the influence of intoxicating liquor.
G. 
If a person is convicted of operating a motorboat while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, the trial judge shall be required to inquire into past convictions of the person for operating a motorboat while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs before sentence is entered in the matter.
A. 
A person convicted of a violation of the Boating While Intoxicated Act[1] shall be assessed by the court, in addition to any other fee or fine, a fee of $65 to defray the costs of chemical and other tests used to determine the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
[1]
Editor's Note: See NMSA 1978, § 66-13-1 et seq.
B. 
All fees collected pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be transmitted monthly to the crime laboratory fund. All balances in the crime laboratory fund collected pursuant to this section are appropriated to the Administrative Office of the Courts for payment upon invoice to the Scientific Laboratory Division of the Department of Health for the costs of chemical and other tests used to determine the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
C. 
Payment of funds out of the crime laboratory fund of fees collected pursuant to this section shall be made upon vouchers issued and signed by the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts upon warrants drawn by the Department of Finance and Administration.