Bill to add driver’s education class on bicycle, pedestrian safety passes Senate

SANTA FE — A bill that would add a bicyclist and pedestrian safety course to student driver’s education has moved forward with just days remaining in this year's New Mexico Legislature's 30-day session.

Senate Bill 73, which passed the Senate on a 25-16 vote on Saturday, would require student drivers to take at least three hours of training on driving with “vulnerable road users,” which include bicyclists, pedestrians, tractor operators and skateboarders.

"I am confident that this type of driver's ed curriculum for new drivers will help improve street safety for vulnerable road users," said main bill sponsor Sen. Heather Berghmans, D-Albuquerque.

The bill would not affect current license holders, she said.

Sen. Candy Spence Ezzell, R-Roswell, asked Berghmans during Saturday's legislative session why SB 73 didn't include experienced drivers.

"Why are we not stressing to them the importance of what you're trying to get done here and why it's just for this younger generation that is going to, very shortly, get their driver’s license?" Ezzell asked.

That is a situation that will take legislation to change "but one I am very interested in changing," Berghmans said.

Berghmans said she got the idea for SB 73 after meeting with Melinda Montoya. Montoya is the mother of late teen Kayla VanLandingham, who was killed in July while riding her bicycle home in Northeast Albuquerque.

"I think that more than just education is needed for safer drivers," Montoya said, "but this is a step to at least teach people the rules of the road, have some repetition on how to interact with non-car road users, and how to use the safety infrastructure."

Sen. Steve Lanier, R-Aztec, was one of the 16 senators to vote against the measure.

"I know the area (Albuquerque) and it's a huge problem," he said. "I don't know that in that area, the huge problem(s) (are) 15- 24-year-old drivers. I think it's people not paying attention.

"We probably need to spend three hours teaching students not to be on their cellphones; three hours teaching them not to be putting makeup on; three hours in that classroom teaching them not to be sitting with their boyfriend or their girlfriend  ... (and) not being distracted."

At the end of the discussion, Berghmans said: "In honor of Kayla, Chuck (Malagodi) and all the families who lost loved ones in traffic accidents, I move that Senate Bill 73 do now pass ..."

The bill now heads to the House. 

"This is just the first step state lawmakers need to take to improve our traffic safety and (protect) vulnerable road users," Berghmans said. 

Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.