45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2001

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; REQUIRING THE DRIVER OF A VEHICLE TO YIELD TO AN APPROACHING EMERGENCY VEHICLE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. Section 66-7-332 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 436) is amended to read:

"66-7-332. OPERATION OF VEHICLES ON APPROACH OF AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES.--

A. Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet to the front of [such] the vehicle [other than a police vehicle] when operated as an authorized emergency vehicle and 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 roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in [such] that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

B. This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway."