HOUSE BILL 370

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2015

INTRODUCED BY

Roberto "Bobby" J. Gonzales

AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES; REQUIRING DURING ROADSIDE EMERGENCIES THAT DRIVERS APPROACH STATIONARY TOWING AND REPAIR VEHICLES AS THEY WOULD OTHER EMERGENCY VEHICLES.

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

     SECTION 1. Section 66-7-332 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1978, Chapter 35, Section 436, as amended) is amended to read:

     "66-7-332. OPERATION OF VEHICLES ON APPROACH OF AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLES.--

          A. Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing emergency lights or when the driver is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

          B. Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing emergency lights, unless otherwise directed, the driver of a vehicle shall:

                (1) if reasonably safe to do so, drive in a lane not adjacent to where the authorized emergency vehicle is stopped, decrease the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances and proceed with caution; or

                (2) if it is not reasonably safe to drive in a lane not adjacent to where the authorized emergency vehicle is stopped, decrease the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, proceed with caution and be prepared to stop.

          C. This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive and park with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.

          D. For the purposes of Subsections B and C of this section, "authorized emergency vehicle" includes roadside towing and repair vehicles."

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