HOUSE BILL 591

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Thomas A. Anderson and Richard C. Martinez

AN ACT

RELATING TO TRAFFIC CONTROL; CLARIFYING SCHOOL ZONE POSTING.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 66-7-301 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 405, as amended) is amended to read:

     "66-7-301. SPEED REGULATION.--

          A. No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway or street at a speed greater than:

                (1) fifteen miles per hour [on all highways] 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 a business or residence district;

                (3) seventy-five miles per hour; and

                (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 [highway and transportation] department of transportation; provided that the posted speed limit shall be determined by an engineering study performed by the [state highway and transportation] department

of transportation.

          B. The department of transportation shall:

                (1) designate sections of every highway or street that is adjacent to schools as school zones;

                (2) post signs to identify the beginning and end of each school zone; and

                (3) post signs, with or without flashing lights, to alert drivers to the school zone speed limit.

          [B.] C. In every event, speed shall be so controlled by the driver as may be necessary:

                (1) to avoid colliding with a person, vehicle or other conveyance on or entering the highway;

                (2) to comply with legal requirements as may be established by the [state highway and transportation] department of transportation or the New Mexico state police division of the department of public safety 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 [highway and transportation] department of transportation.

          [C.] D. The speed limits set forth in Subsection A of this section may be altered as authorized in Section 66-7-303 NMSA 1978."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2014.

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