SENATE BILL 254

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

INTRODUCED BY

George K. Munoz

AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; AMENDING A SECTION OF THE OFF-HIGHWAY MOTOR VEHICLE ACT TO PROVIDE FOR OPERATION OF OFF-HIGHWAY MOTOR VEHICLES ON PAVED STREETS OR HIGHWAYS WITH POSTED SPEED LIMITS OF THIRTY-FIVE MILES PER HOUR OR LESS.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 66-3-1011 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1975, Chapter 240, Section 11, as amended) is amended to read:

     "66-3-1011. OPERATION ON STREETS OR HIGHWAYS--PROHIBITED AREAS.--

          A. A person shall not operate an off-highway motor vehicle on any:

                (1) limited access highway or freeway at any time; or

                (2) [any] paved street or highway with a posted speed limit above thirty-five miles per hour, except as provided in Subsection B of this section.

          B. Off-highway motor vehicles may cross streets or highways, except limited access highways or freeways, if the crossings are made after coming to a complete stop prior to entering the roadway. Off-highway motor vehicles shall yield the right of way to oncoming traffic and shall begin a crossing only when it can be executed safely and then cross in the most direct manner as close to a perpendicular angle as possible.

          C. A person shall not operate an off-highway motor vehicle on state game commission-owned, -controlled or -administered land except as specifically allowed pursuant to Chapter 17, Article 6 NMSA 1978.

          D. A person shall not operate an off-highway motor vehicle on land owned, controlled or administered by the state parks division of the energy, minerals and natural resources department, pursuant to Chapter 16, Article 2 NMSA 1978, except in areas designated by and permitted by rules adopted by the secretary of energy, minerals and natural resources.

          E. Unless authorized, a person shall not:

                (1) remove, deface or destroy any official sign installed by a state, federal, local or private land management agency; or

                (2) install any off-highway motor vehicle-related sign."