HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

HOUSE BILL 259

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

AN ACT

RELATING TO TRAFFIC REGULATIONS; REGULATING BICYCLE OPERATION AT INTERSECTIONS.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 66-3-702 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 101) is amended to read:

     "66-3-702. TRAFFIC LAWS APPLY TO PERSONS RIDING BICYCLES.--Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle except as to the special regulations within Sections [64-3-701 through 64-3-707 NMSA 1953] 66-3-701 through 66-3-708 NMSA 1978."

     SECTION 2. A new Section 66-3-708 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

     "66-3-708. [NEW MATERIAL] STOPPING AT INTERSECTIONS.--

          A. A person operating a bicycle approaching a stop sign shall slow down and, if required for safety, stop before entering the intersection. After slowing to a reasonable speed or stopping, the person shall yield the right of way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching the intersection on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the person would be moving across or within the intersection. A person after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right of way if required may cautiously make a turn or proceed through the intersection without stopping.

          B. A person operating a bicycle approaching a steady red traffic control light shall stop before entering the intersection and shall yield to all other traffic. Once the person has stopped and yielded, the person may proceed through the steady red light with caution; provided, however, that a person, after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right of way if required, may cautiously make a right-hand turn. A left-hand turn onto a one-way highway may be made on a red light after stopping and yielding to other traffic."

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