Texting While Driving Now Illegal in New MexicoStarting July 1st, texting while driving will officially be illegal in the state of New Mexico, making it the 42nd state to pass legislation against distracted driving. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), between 32,800 and 43,500 people have been killed annually in motor vehicle crashes since 1994. Of those, an estimated 21 percent involved talking on the cell phone, and a minimum of three percent of the crashes are estimated to involve

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texting while driving now illegal in new mexico

what’s in your car?

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texting. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that at any point during the day, nine percent of drivers are using their cell phones.

Understanding the Distracted Brain, a White Paper published by the NSC in 2012, explains how multitasking on the cell phone makes the driver’s brain unfit to effectively operate a vehicle, especially when faced with unexpected driving hazards. What researchers have termed the “reaction-time switching costs,” is an actual measure of time that it takes for the brain to switch focus from one task to another. The time it takes the brain to switch from cell phone to the road, alone, can result in tremendous damage. For instance, in a car traveling 40mph, the delay in reaction equates to traveling 120 feet or eight additional car lengths before stopping. To read more of the report, click here. “There is no text message, no Facebook post, no tweet worth a person’s life,” states Governor Susana Martinez, who signed the law on March 2, 2014. The final version of Senate Bill 19 states, “A person shall not read or view a text message or manually type on a handheld mobile communication device for any purpose while driving a motor vehicle.” The exceptions to this rule are using a navigation system, summoning medical or other emergency help, or using a hands-free device.

The law affects anyone who is “in actual physical control of a motor vehicle on a highway or street,” including being temporarily stopped at a traffic light or sign. To specify even further, “text message” is defined as “a digital communication transmitted or intended to be transmitted between communication devices and includes electronic mail, an instant message, a text or image communication and a command or request to an internet site.” The punishment for first time offenders is a fine of $25, which increases to $50 for subsequent offenses.

What’s In Your Car?We have all heard about the dangers of leaving a child inside a car on a hot day. Yet, nationwide, an average of 38 children die annually from vehicular heatstroke. In 2013, the number of deaths was 44, and nine children have already fallen victim in 2014.

trip inside the store, but the fact is young children are at greater risk for heatstroke than adults,” said Department of Health Cabinet Secretary, Retta Ward, MPH. “Their bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults, and anyone can become ill from heat if their body can’t compensate for it and properly cool them off.”

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The New Mexico Department of Health issued a warning on June 3, 2014, advising the State’s residents to take extra precautions to avoid heat-related illness and to be extra vigilant not to leave children in vehicles. “It may be tempting not to ‘wake the sleeping baby’ for a quick

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PHOTOS BY: SAFER NEW MEXICO NOW

By Lindsey Tanner, AP Medical WriterABQ Journal: 5-19-14Chicago – The number of children killed by drunken motorists has declined substantially in recent years but the biggest threat remains their own drivers, not strangers in other vehicles, a study found.

The data show most impaired drivers survived these crashes, suggesting many kids might have survived if they’d been wearing seat belts or using car seats.

Researchers analyzed 2000-10 government traffic deaths data and found 2,344 passengers younger than age 15 were killed in crashes involving a drunken driver. Two thirds were riding in cars driven by drunken drivers, but those cases declined by 40 percent during the decade.

Texas and California had the most deaths among kids riding with drunken drivers, but rates were higher in smaller, less populous states.

Almost two-thirds of kids who died while riding with drunken drivers were not wearing seat belts. And many of the drivers had no valid license. Most were adults.

Research shows children’s DUI deaths down

Some of the same researchers published a similar analysis 14 years ago that found close to 6,000 child deaths involving a drunken driver from 1985-1996. Like the new numbers, two-thirds of those deaths were in kids riding with a drunken driver.

The new study was led by Dr. Kyran Quinlan of Northwestern University and researchers from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It was published online in Pediatrics, www.aap.org.

The researchers note that most states have laws that provide stiffer DUI penalties for driving with a child, but suggest the laws need to be uniformly enforced. They also suggest better methods for preventing adults without drivers’ licenses from getting behind a wheel, and other proven deterrents including more sobriety checkpoints on roadways.

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PHOTOS BY: SAFER NEW MEXICO NOW

Q1: Which state imposes a $78 fine for running into a padestrian?Q2: Which state requires its residents by law to honk before passing?

Traffic Laws Trivia

On Monday, May 19th, the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) Traffic Safety Division (TSD) held a news conference in Rio Rancho to announce New Mexico’s participation in the national “Click It Or Ticket” seatbelt enforcement program.

The NMDOT Cabinet Secretary Tom Church, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Regional Administrator Georgia Chakiris, and Chief Michael Geier of the Rio Rancho Police Department, urged all state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies across New Mexico to join the nationwide effort in seat belt enforcement through the Memorial Day weekend.

According to NHTSA, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for people under the age of 34, and approximately 43,000 people die in motor vehicle crashes throughout the U.S. annually.

Nighttime vehicle occupants are among those least likely to buckle up and most likely to be killed in crashes when unrestrained; therefore, a

New Mexico Rallies Behind Click It Or Ticket

Night Time Seat Belt Enforcement Operation was conducted during the news event. The operation results were as follows:

Seat Belt Citations: 40Child Restraints: 1Suspended/ Revoked: 3Uninsured Motorists: 6Other Citations: 7

Child Passenger Safety was another high-priority topic of discussion.Though statistics have proven that child safety seats, when used correctly, can reduce fatal injuries by over 70 percent in infants and 54 percent in toddlers, more than half of the children killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts. In efforts to bring awareness to child passenger safety, the NMDOT is providing BKLUP baby “onesie” outfits to hospitals participating in the New Mexico Child Safety Seat Distribution Program. To order a BKLUP “onesie,” please call the Safer New Mexico Now Injury Prevention Center at 1-800-231-6145.

Arrests: 3Aggravated DWI: 1Warrant Arrests: 2

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PHOTO BY: SAFER NEW MEXICO NOW

The New TeenagePerspective Alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug by youth in the US according to Myinstead.com. New Mexico currently ranks first in the Nation in the number of children who consume their first alcoholic drink prior to the age of 13, and alcohol-related costs in New Mexico total more than $243 million per year.

Currently, 86% of youth say they drink in their own or someone else’s home, while 51% of youth say that they obtain alcohol from their friends. We asked the winner of the Myinstead video contest, Ryan Williamson, some questions about his views on underage drinking.

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PHOTO BY: SAFER NEW MEXICO NOW

Q: Do you know, or have you heard of anyone whose life has been changed by alcohol? If so, how did it change? A: My neighbor, who was an alcoholic, changed from being a rational and normal person, to a violent nightmare. After years of self-abuse, the man died of liver failure.

Q: If you had a chance to talk to this person, what advice would you give him?A: While I can’t give advice to my neighbor, I do have friends suffering from drug addiction. These otherwise good people are hurting themselves and the people who care about them. Addiction is very difficult to overcome. The best advice I would give to these people would be to ask for help. You can’t always beat drug addiction by yourself. Your friends and family can be your greatest defense.

Q: Why do you think teenagers feel the need to drink or use drugs? A: Teenagers want to be thought highly of by their peers, and make choices that, while not very smart, will impress their friends. Peer pressure results in plenty of drug addiction. One way to combat this is to teach the importance of individuality. Teenagers shouldn’t have to prove their worth to their friends, especially if that means doing drugs or consuming alcohol.

Q: What do you wish there was more of in the world?A: I wish that there was less apathy in the world. If there were more socially conscious people stepping up and doing their part, we could solve a majority of the world’s problems, including alcoholism and drug addiction. Instead, many people prefer to stay ignorant and happy, rather than assess the many problems plaguing us and finding ways to fix them.

Q: Do you think that other teens would share that attitude with you?A: I think many teens share the same opinions as me. The trick, however, is for them to be more vocal about it. With so much social media and commmunication, young people have more influence on the planet than ever before. Our opinions carry a lot of weight, and it’s up to us to take action against apathy and educate future generations about the dangers of drug addiction and alcoholism.

Ryan is one of two winners of the Myinstead video campaign. He is a graduating Senior from the Public Academy For Performing Arts, where over 50 students submitted their videos for consideration. View his video here.

Fitting Stations

Q3: Some birds actually have the right of way in this state. Q4: In which state is it illegal to operate a car with a gorilla in the back seat?

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AlamogordoThird Saturday of each month (505) 439-4300

Albuquerque: NE2nd and 4th Fridays of each month (505) 856-6143

Albuquerque: SWThird Thursday of each month (505) 856-6143

Albuqerque: CentralFirst Friday of each month (505) 272-6024

Farmington: Third Saturday of each month (800) 231-6145

Las CrucesFirst Wednesday of each month (800) 231-6145

Fitting Stations offer child safety seat inspection appointments during regular hours of operation at nine permanent New Mexico locations.

Las VegasLas Wednesday of each month (800) 231-6145

Rio RanchoFirst Friday of each month (800) 231-6145

Santa Fe2nd and 4th Fridays of each month

(505) 471-3965(800) 231-6145

2014 Law Enforcement Coordinators’ SymposiumBy Melissa Dosher, NMDOT Public Information Officer

The annual Law Enforcement Coordinators Symposium (LECS) was held May 7-8 at the Sandia Resort.Hosted by NMDOT’s Traffic Safety Division and Safer New Mexico Now, the conference provides law enforcement officers

from across New Mexico with traffic safety training and education through presentations from experts in their respective fields.

Sessions included such topics as distracted driving, regional strategies and drugged driving. On that issue was new focus on synthetic marijuana, or “spice,” and the dangers it presents to not only drivers, but the hurdles it takes to prosecute such cases since “spice” is not a substance that shows up on toxicology screens.

NMDOT Secretary Tom Church and Traffic Safety Division Bureau Chief Robert Archuleta provided welcoming remarks. Presentations during the conference were given by Traffic Safety staff members Kimberly Wildharber, Lolita Martinez, Johnny Michael Quintana, Cindy Abeyta and Juliet Armijo.

PHOTO BY: SAFER NEW MEXICO NOW

It may come as a relief to motorists from around the City, that June 4, 2014 marked the 50% completion point on the Paseo/I-25 construction. The project’s design was fully completed as of May 31, 2014, and the New Mexico Department of Transportation expects the project to be largely completed by December 20, 2014.

Some anticipated milestones include:

• New Eastbound Paseo Del Norte lanes open to traffic – July 2014• Flyover construction complete – November 2014

Until the completion date, please remember to practice caution around the construction zones, and be on the lookout for changing traffic signs. Please visit http://www.paseoi25.com for more details.

Paseo/I-25 Update

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Q5: In which state is it legal to drive without a windshield, but not to drive without windshield wipers?Q6: Swearing from a vehicle in this state is considered a misdemeanor.

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The Annual WASHTO Meeting to be Held in New MexicoThe New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) will be hosting the 2014 Annual Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO) Meeting on July 13-16, 2014. WASHTO is a membership of 18 states, including New Mexico, which works with the United States Department of Transportation and other governmental agencies

jun 20- sep 30 100 days and nights of summermini superblitzoperation dwi/operation Buckle down

car seat clinic: rio rancho10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., haynes Park, 2006 grande Blvd se. no appointment needed

car seat clinic: san FeliPe PueBlo9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., # 4 cedar rd. (north of Dental & Health Office) No Appointment Needed

car seat clinic: raton10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., miner’s colfax medical center, 203 hospital dr.no appointment needed

car seat clinic: Bayard10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Bayard community center, 290 hurley ave.no appointment needed

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transportation commission meeting: GALLUP, (505) 827-5258

car seat clinic: alBuQuerQue4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Kohl’s, 3715 ellison dr. nw. no appointment needed

nmdot wellness Fair: santa Fe10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., 1120 cerrillos rd.

car seat clinic: rio rancho10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., target, 4225 crestview dr se. no appointment needed

national Baby safety awareness month

jun 20- sep 30 100 days and nights of summer

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July transportation commission meeting: FARMINGTON, (505) 827-5258

jun 20- sep 30 100 days and nights of summer

car seat clinic: las vegas10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., cornerstone church, 2207 7th st. no appointment needed

car seat clinic: clovis3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., hilltop Plaza, 320 west 21st st.no appointment needed

car seat clinic: rio rancho10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., sandoval health commons, 1500 idalia rd.no appointment needed

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to promote national policies on transportation issues and forge a closer relationship between its members. WASHTO meetings create a forum for exchanging ideas, exploring and adapting techniques, and promoting quality best practices for implementation across all participating states.

This year’s meeting, titled “Crossroads to the Future,” will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Downtown Albuquerque and will address the technological, innovational, and funding “crossroads,” which the transportation industry is facing.

The meeting will kick off with a golf tournament at the Twin Warriors Golf Club on Sunday, July 13th, followed by opening statements from The NMDOT Cabinet Secretary Tom Church and the Arizona Department of Transportation and WASHTO President, John Halikowski. The Keynote Address will be delivered by Ann Rhoades, President of People Ink and Co-Founder of Jet Blue Airlines.

Presentations will be grouped under the categories of “Funding,” “Innovation,” and “Emerging Technology,” and will offer a wide range of topics, from “Climate Adaptation, and Extreme Weather Resiliency,” to “New Communications Strategies in Transportation with Social Media.”

The event is being sponsored by HNTB Corporation, Parsons Brinckerhoff, and AECOM. The NMDOT Traffic Safety Division is providing traffic safety-related material to promote NM initiatives.

New Mexico Gets Kidz in MotionThe 10th Annual Kidz in Motion (KIM) Conference will be hosted in Albuquerque on August 25-28, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa. The KIM Conference, with its exclusive focus on child passenger safety, offers continuing education for all who play a part in keeping young passengers safe. The objective of the conference is to provide participants the educational opportunity to gain the latest information on child passenger safety, including technological advancements, products, programs, and best practices.

In previous years, the KIM Conference has drawn professionals from varying fields, including healthcare, law enforcement, fire and rescue, and vehicle and child safety seat manufacturers. This year, presenters from around the country will gather to educate on topics ranging from “Hospital Discharge Recommendations for Safe Transportation of Children,” to “Emerging Automotive Technologies and their Potential Impact on Child Restraint Systems.”

A Child Safety Seat inspection clinic will be held on Aug. 25, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Kohl’s on 3715 Ellison Dr. NW.

The 2014 KIM Conference is largely sponsored by Chicco and Toyota. Please visit http://www.kidzinmotion.org for more information and ways to get involved.

UPCOMING Events

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September

NEW FOR THIS YEAR ONLY: The 2014 Law Enforcement Conference starts on TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2ND and ends on THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4TH. It will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1901 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque. For more information please call the New Mexico Municipal League, (800) 432-2036.

Save the Date:2014

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The Traffic Safety News Publication is a federally-funded project from the NMDOT Traffic Safety Division. Contents may be republished with attribution. The contents of this newletter are provided for informational purposes only and are not intended as an endorsement of any program. If you would like to submit articles, calendar events, or other items for consideration, please email: info@safernm.org, or call: (505) 856-6143.

car seat clinic: alBuQuerQue10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., new Futures school, 5400 cutler ne. no appointment needed

car seat clinic: deming11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., voiers Park, 300 n. country club . no appointment needed

transportation commission meeting: raton, (505) 827-5258

national seat check saturday

car seat clinic: alBuQuerQue11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Kohl’s, 6800 Holly Ave NE (Paseo Del Norte & Louisiana) No appointment needed

car seat clinic: alBuQuerQue11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Kohl’s, 3715 ellison dr NW (Cottonwood Corners)no appointment needed

car seat clinic: alBuQuerQue11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Kohl’s, 6600 menaul Blvd NE (Coronado Mall) no appointment needed

car seat clinic: las cruces11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Kohl’s, 2500 north triviz no appointment needed

car seat clinic: santa Fe11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Kohl’s, 4401 cerrillos rd. no appointment needed

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What’s In Your Car?continued From Page 1

Even the most cautions parents and caretakers are not immune to these horrible accidents. Janette Fennell is president of KidsAndCars.org, a group that tracks car-related deaths involving children. She states, “90 percent of people in most cases are the most fabulous, doting, caring parents that have every safety device imaginable to man. We’re talking teachers, lawyers, doctors. There’s no real commonality to who this happens.”

Fennell’s organization offers the following tips to eliminate this danger in your household: 1. Never leave children alone in or around cars; not even for a minute.2. Put something you’ll need, like your cell phone, handbag, employee ID or brief case, etc., on the floor board in the back seat. 3. Get in the habit of always opening the back door of your vehicle every time you reach your destination to make sure no child has been left behind. 4. Keep a large stuffed animal in the child’s car seat when it’s not occupied. When the child is placed in the seat, put the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat. It’s a visual reminder that anytime the stuffed animal is up front, the child is in the back seat.

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5. Make arrangements with your child’s daycare center or babysitter that you will always call if your child will not be there on a particular day as scheduled. 6. Keep vehicles locked at all times; even in the garage or driveway and always set your parking brake. 7. Keys and/or remote openers should never be left within reach of children. 8. When a child is missing, check vehicles and car trunks immediately. 9. If you see a child alone in a vehicle, get involved. If they are hot or seem sick, get them out as quickly as possible. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. 10. Be especially careful about keeping children safe in and around cars during busy times, schedule changes and periods of crisis or holidays. 11. Use drive-thru services when available. (restaurants, banks, pharmacies, dry cleaners, etc.)12. Use your debit or credit card to pay for gas at the pump.

For additional information about ways to keep children safe in and around vehicles, visit www.KidsAndCars.org.

Answers: Q1: Florida (Sarasota) Q2: New Jersey Q3: Utah Q4: Massachusetts

Traffic Laws TriviaQ7: Which state deemed it illegal to blare a car horn where ice cold beverages or sandwiches are served after 9 p.m.? Q8: In which state is it illegal for women to wear a housecoat while driving?

Q5: TexasQ6: Maryland Q7: Arkansas Q8: California

Design and Content by Michelle Cisewski & Ana Schor

The speed limit in both directions of I-25 from Tramway to Bernalillo has been increased to 75 mph!

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