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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