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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T



SPONSOR: Godbey DATE TYPED: 03/09/01 HB 550
SHORT TITLE: Yield to Emergency Vehicles SB
ANALYST: Gonzales


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02

See Narrative

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



Taxation and Revenue Department

Department of Public Safety



SUMMARY



Synopsis of Bill



House Bill 550 states that all authorized emergency vehicles must have a visible red light, as well as a siren in order for the drivers of other vehicles to be required to yield the right-of-way and drive to the right hand edge of the curb. Previously, police vehicles had been exempted from the requirement of having a red light and only had to have a siren operating.



Significant Issues



It may be easier to pull over to the right when a driver actually see a red light, as opposed to just hearing a siren.



PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS



Police vehicles operated by the Department of Public Safety are equipped with emergency equipment that engages a red light when the siren is operating.



CONFLICT



Section 66-7-6(C) NMSA 1978 allows police vehicles, when operating as authorized emergency vehicles, to violate traffic regulations with a siren operating only.



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