It is unlawful and, unless otherwise declared in the Motor Vehicle Code [66-1-1 NMSA 1978] with respect to particular offenses, it is a misdemeanor for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in Article 7 of Chapter 66 NMSA 1978.
History: 1953 Comp., § 64-7-3, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 373.
Cross references. — For the penalty for a misdemeanor, see 66-8-7 NMSA 1978.
For duty of driver to take precautions when approaching blind person, see 28-7-4 NMSA 1978.
Section subject to assimilation under federal law. — The offenses described by Section 66-5-39 NMSA 1978 (driving while license suspended), 66-8-102 NMSA 1978 (driving while under the influence) and this section (violation of traffic laws) are all criminal offenses, and, as such, the applicable sentences are assimilated for offenses committed on military installations within the state under the Assimilative Crimes Act, 18 U.S.C. § 13. United States v. Adams, 140 F.3d 895 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 525 U.S. 895, 119 S. Ct. 219, 142 L. Ed. 2d 180 (1998).
Enforcement outside jurisdiction. — A municipal officer does not have the authority to enforce the Motor Vehicle Code outside the city limits of the municipality. 1988 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 88-77.
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 7A Am. Jur. 2d Automobiles and Highway Traffic § 204.
Entrapment to commit traffic offense, 34 A.L.R.4th 1167.
60 C.J.S. Motor Vehicles § 25.
Automated traffic enforcement systems. 26 A.L.R.6th 179.
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Article 7 - Traffic Laws; Signs, Signals and Markings; Accidents; Weight and Size; Traffic Safety
Part 1 - APPLICATION OF TRAFFIC LAWS
Section 66-7-2 - Reference to vehicles upon the highways; exceptions.
Section 66-7-3 - Required obedience to traffic laws.
Section 66-7-4 - Obedience to police officers.
Section 66-7-5 - Public officers and employees to obey act; exceptions.
Section 66-7-6 - Authorized emergency vehicles.
Section 66-7-7 - Traffic laws apply to persons riding animals or driving animal-drawn vehicles.
Section 66-7-8 - Provisions uniform throughout state.
Section 66-7-9 - Powers of local authorities.
Section 66-7-10 - No interference with rights of owners of real property with reference thereto.
Section 66-7-11 - New Mexico state police power to close certain highways in emergencies.
Section 66-7-13 - Autonomous motor vehicles; standards; local regulation. (Effective July 1, 2022.)