By Rodd Cayton
Traffic is frequently on the minds of Corraleños, and the Village Council will put it in the spotlight once again at its Sept. 8 meeting. An ongoing review of the village’s uniform traffic code reaches an important stage, with councilors discussing the latest draft.
The revision has been on deck for most of the spring and summer, as councilors work with village staff and offer residents the opportunity to review the document as it develops. At the August 18 meeting, Village Attorney Ken Tager said an ordinance formalizing the changes will be published after the council approves it and brought back later for final adoption.
Also up for discussion and possible approval is a listing of penalties and fines for traffic violations in Corrales. The current fee schedule has some violators paying the fines they would have paid decades ago. Police Chief Victor Mangiacapra said earlier the now-nominal fine amounts have reduced the deterrent effect of breaking the rules.
“When they become more up to date, some drivers might be more aware of monetary consequences for breaking traffic laws and, hopefully, will drive more responsibly and our roads will be safer,” Mayor Fred Hashimoto wrote in his weekly message to the community.
Also in the message, Hashimoto wrote that the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has finished collecting data on Corrales Road to help address whether four-way stop signs or changes to the speed limit on the road are appropriate. The NMDOT will present a final report, with recommendations, to the council sometime in October or November.
The full meeting agenda will be posted here.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8
WHERE: Village of Corrales Council Chambers, 4324 Corrales Road
VIRTUAL: via Zoom; Meeting ID: 814 6242 0561 Passcode: 135219.