Section 66-7-506 - Bureau; functions; powers; duties. - New Mexico Statutes

66-7-506. Bureau; functions; powers; duties.

The bureau shall have the following powers and duties:

A.     organize, plan and conduct a statewide program of activities designed to prevent accidents and to reduce the incidence of DWI in New Mexico;

B.     coordinate activities and programs of the departments, divisions and agencies of this state now engaged in promoting traffic safety;

C.     provide accident prevention information and publicity to all appropriate media of information and develop other means of public information;

D.     cooperate with all public and private agencies and organizations interested in the promotion of traffic safety and accident prevention;

E.     serve as a clearinghouse for all traffic safety materials and information used throughout this state;

F.     cooperate in promoting research, special studies and analysis of problems concerning the safety and welfare of the citizens of New Mexico; 

G.     cooperate fully with national safety organizations in bringing about greater effectiveness in nationwide accident prevention activities and programs;

H.     make studies and suitable recommendations, through the chief and the secretary of transportation, to the legislature concerning safety regulations and laws;

I.     prepare and submit each year a written report to the governor concerning the activities of the bureau and activities concerning assistance to local organizations and officials;

J.     institute and administer a statewide motorcycle training program funded as provided for in Section 66-10-10 NMSA 1978;

K.     institute and administer an accident prevention course for elderly drivers as provided for in Section  59A-32-14 NMSA 1978; 

L.     cooperate with the public education department to develop a regulatory framework for instructional and administrative processes, including licensure requirements for instructors, and a curriculum for instruction in defensive driving with a DWI education and prevention component to be offered statewide in secondary schools as an elective;

M.     institute and administer a DWI prevention and education program for elementary and secondary school students, funded as provided for in Section 66-5-35 NMSA 1978;

N.     include at least two hours of DWI prevention and education training in all driver education courses approved by the bureau; and 

O.     include a DWI recidivism prevention component in all driver rehabilitation programs for alcohol or drugs approved by the bureau.