New Mexico Motorcycle Helmet Laws
Motorcycle Helmet Statue:
Chapter 66. Motor Vehicles. Article 7. Traffic Laws; Signs, Signals and Markings;
Accidents; Weight and Size; Traffic Safety. Part 4. Traffic Laws Generally. Section
66-7-356. Mandatory Use of Protective Helmets. :
"A. No person under the age of eighteen shall operate a motorcycle unless he is
wearing a safety helmet securely fastened on his head in a normal manner as headgear
and meeting the standards specified by the director. . . . No person shall carry
any passenger under the age of eighteen on any motorcycle unless the passenger is
wearing a securely fastened safety helmet, . . . ."
STANDARDS:
Chapter 66. Motor Vehicles. Article 7. Traffic Laws; Signs, Signals and Markings;
Accidents; Weight and Size; Traffic Safety. Part 4. Traffic Laws Generally. Section
66-7-356. Mandatory Use of Protective Helmets. :
". . . The director shall adopt rules and regulations establishing standards covering
the types of helmets and the specifications therefore and shall establish and maintain
a list of approved helmets meeting the standards and specifications of the director.
. . ."
Regulation
18 NMAC 19.7.9 HELMET STANDARD
A helmet to be used by a person under the age of eighteen in connection with the
operation of a motorcycle must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number
218 (Motorcycle Helmets) issued by the United States Secretary of Transportation.
Only helmets meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 218 are approved
for use in New Mexico. [7/20/90, 10/14/92, 10/31/96]
State Funded Rider Education
Available for all eligible applicants.
Reauired under age 18.
May waive skills test for successful completion of rider ed.
May waive knowledge test for successful completion of rider ed.
Eye Protection
Required unless equipped with wind screen.
Daytime Use Of Headlight
Modulating headlight permitted.
Passenger Seat
Required if carrying a passenger.
Passenger Footrests
Required if carrying a passenger.
Mirror
Required by law.
Periodic Safety Inspection
Random inspections, required by law.
65 MPH Speed Limit
In effect on designated rural interstate highways.
NEW MEXICO-DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF CLOTHING OR CLUB MEMBERSHIP IS ILLEGAL
New Mexico Civil Rights legislation codified in N.M.S.A. Sec. 28-1-1, et. seq. establish
certain Civil Rights and prohibit certain discriminatory practices. The Act was
modeled after the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII, 42 U.S.C.A. Section
2000 (e), et. seq.). A "civil right" has been defined as a privilege accorded to
and or a right due from one individual to another, the trespassing upon which is
a civil injury. The interference with a person's lawful conduct and actions is a
violation of a civil right, U.S. v. Gugel, 119 F.Supp. 897. Discrimination need
not be only on the grounds of race, color, national origin, etc. Any invidious discrimination
is prohibited, Nanez v. Ritger, 304 F.Supp. 354. Coverage includes the right to
free speech, peace- able assembly and freedom of association, Ames v. Vavreck, 356
F.Supp. 931. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that individuals have a constitutional
right under the First Amendment to wear clothing which displays writing or designs,
Cohen v. Ca., 403 U.S. 15. A person's right to wear the clothing of choice, and
the right to belong to any club or organization is constitutionally protected. Persons
or establishments who discriminate on the basis of clothing or club membership may
have violated the Act.
Cycle News