45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; PROVIDING POWER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO CLOSE HIGHWAYS IN EMERGENCIES.

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

Section 1. Section 66-7-11 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1987, Chapter 280, Section 1) is amended to read:

"66-7-11. [NEW MEXICO STATE POLICE] DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY POWER TO CLOSE CERTAIN HIGHWAYS IN EMERGENCIES.--Notwithstanding any rule, regulation or agreement of the state highway and transportation department, the [New Mexico state police] department of public safety, in cases of emergency where the condition of a state highway presents a substantial danger to vehicular travel by reason of storm, fire, accident, spillage of hazardous materials or other unusual or dangerous conditions, may close [such] the highway to vehicular travel until the [New Mexico state police] department of public safety determines otherwise. The state highway and transportation department shall be notified of the highway closure as soon as practicable."