HOUSE BILL 328

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Art De La Cruz

 

 

 

 

 

AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; ENACTING A NEW SECTION OF CHAPTER 67 NMSA 1978; REQUIRING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A VISION ZERO PLAN; REQUIRING REPORTS; CREATING THE POSITION OF VISION ZERO COORDINATOR; PROVIDING DUTIES; PROVIDING A DEFINITION.

 

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

     SECTION 1. A new section Chapter 67 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] VISION ZERO--PLAN--REPORTS--COORDINATOR--DUTIES.--

          A. The secretary shall develop a vision zero plan for roadways in New Mexico that will aim to achieve an annual traffic safety record with zero vehicle-related deaths or serious injuries by the end of calendar year 2030. The vision zero plan shall include:

                (1) a roadway design plan that is capable of achieving annual traffic safety records with zero vehicle-related deaths or serious injuries;

                (2) a projected budget for implementing the roadway design plan, including a budget for the vision zero coordinator's position, staff and expenses;

                (3) recommendations for amendments to the Motor Vehicle Code or other laws in order to achieve the vision zero goals; and

                (4) an evaluation framework that measures the effectiveness of vision zero efforts, including transportation projects intended to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

          B. On or before October 31, 2023, the secretary shall present the vision zero plan to the appropriate interim legislative committee concerning transportation, the legislative finance committee and the governor, and on or before October 31 in each subsequent year through 2030, the secretary shall present vision zero plan updates to those legislative committees and the governor. The secretary shall publish the vision zero plan and updates to the plan on the department's website by December 1 each year.

           C. The position of "vision zero coordinator" is created within the department. The vision zero coordinator shall be appointed by the secretary and shall have the following minimum qualifications:

                (1) a master's or equivalent degree in roadway engineering or design, traffic engineering, road traffic control, traffic safety, urban or regional planning or similar degree; and

                (2) ten years of experience in the fields of regional or urban planning, traffic control, traffic design or traffic safety, including at least five years' experience managing a county, municipal, state or tribal traffic safety program.

          D. The vision zero coordinator shall:

                (1) coordinate the department's implementation of the vision zero plan;

                (2) provide planning and technical assistance to county, municipal and tribal governments to develop local vision zero or similar traffic safety plans; and

                (3) coordinate state vision zero plan implementation actions with any county, municipal or tribal vision zero plan actions.

          E. As used in this section, "vision zero" means a program for planning and developing a roadway system that has no vehicle-related deaths or serious injuries."

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2023.

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