sa国际传媒官网网页入口

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed into law a bill requiring student drivers to take at least three hours of training on 鈥渧ulnerable road users,鈥� such as bicyclists, pedestrians and emergency service providers.

will take effect on Jan. 1.

Main bill sponsor Sen. Heather Berghmans, D-sa国际传媒官网网页入口, said she got the idea for the legislation after meeting with Melinda Montoya, the Journal reported. Montoya is the mother of the late teen Kayla VanLandingham, who was killed in July while riding her bicycle home in Northeast sa国际传媒官网网页入口.

In a message sent to the Senate on Monday, Lujan Grisham said while SB 73 鈥渋s a good start to achieving safer roads,鈥� more needs to be done.

Citing data that New Mexico ranks 10th in traffic fatalities in the United States, 鈥渨ith almost 40% of those fatalities involving a vulnerable road user,鈥� the governor said, 鈥渋t seems that existing drivers are the problem 鈥� not future drivers.鈥�

鈥淚 encourage the Legislature to attack this problem more comprehensively next session, as it is a matter of life and death,鈥� Lujan Grisham said. 鈥淔uture legislation could include more requirements around renewing a license, raising the minimum age of those eligible to receive a license, or harsher penalties around distracted or reckless driving. There are many possibilities.

鈥淭he bottom line is more needs to be done to limit the loss of life on the road in New Mexico.鈥�

Montoya said in a text that she agreed with the governor鈥檚 sentiment.

鈥淲e need to do more and I hope that we are able to bring more accountability and safer streets to New Mexico come next session,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e need to start working now to develop partners to get it moving.鈥�

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.