SENATE MEMORIAL 69

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Cisco McSorley

A MEMORIAL

HIGHLIGHTING THE GROWING DRIVING- AND TRANSPORTATION-RELATED DANGERS IN NEW MEXICO AND REQUESTING THE TAXATION AND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TO FORM A COMMITTEE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE STATE TO IMPLEMENT A CONTINUING DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM.

     WHEREAS, despite a twelve percent decrease in fatal motor vehicle crashes from 2000 to 2009, New Mexico is still twenty-two percent above the national average, according to the department of transportation; and

     WHEREAS, department of transportation records show that in 2009, three and two-tenths percent of all crashes in the state were related to alcohol, an issue around which there are substantial education and awareness campaigns and initiatives; and

     WHEREAS, the six categories of driver error that caused more crashes than alcohol are not addressed by education or awareness campaigns or initiatives; and

     WHEREAS, department of transportation 2009 records also show that approximately one-fourth of New Mexico drivers were under eighteen, while about three-fourths were over eighteen; and

     WHEREAS, the United States census reveals an ongoing trend of population growth in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, that growth will congest traffic on streets and highways and intensify the pressure on governments to move traffic safely; and

     WHEREAS, the census also reveals continuous growth in the number of New Mexico drivers over the age of sixty-five; and

     WHEREAS, according to the national highway traffic safety administration, New Mexico ranked fourth in the nation in its 2000 through 2009 pedestrian fatality rate, only a minor improvement from its previous ranking of first; and

     WHEREAS, the league of American bicyclists recently ranked New Mexico the forty-fifth state for bicycle-friendliness; and

     WHEREAS, increasingly, drivers are distracted, traffic and automobile engineering attributes are changing and roads are being used in alternative ways; and

     WHEREAS, these factors increase the risks of danger on and near roadways; and

     WHEREAS, the state has made no effort to educate drivers about these new risks or the best ways to avoid a collision; and

     WHEREAS, the state also does not offer or require education for alternative road users on safety or legal obligations; and

     WHEREAS, unlike in other states, New Mexico's driver education curriculum and testing practices do not incorporate the findings of a growing body of research on good driving habits;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the taxation and revenue department be requested to convene a committee to address these needs in driver education and road safety; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee consist of New Mexico resident and nonresident experts in traffic safety and alternative road use, including pedestrian, bicycle and motorcycle road use; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee also consist of members from advocacy organizations active in the state, including the Duke City wheelmen foundation and the New Mexico motorcycle rights organization; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, if possible, one or more experts in visual perception and driver habits and one or more experts in driver education curriculum and testing serve on the committee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee meet monthly beginning in April 2013 to establish objectives for implementing a continuing driver education program that addresses the concerns expressed in this memorial; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee report its recommendations to the legislative health and human services committee in September 2013; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the taxation and revenue department, the legislative health and human services committee, the Duke City wheelmen foundation and the New Mexico motorcycle rights organization.

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