Veterans with permanent plate still need vehicle emissions test
WHAT ABOUT EMISSIONS CHECKS AND VETERANS PLATES? Last month Albert Salas emailed, “I just received notice from the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division that my disabled veteran plate had been suspended because it did not have a record of a vehicle emissions test.
“When I called the MVD they said it was required by the city air pollution program to have an emissions test if I live in Bernalillo County. I said I did not have a problem with that, but I was never notified that my vehicle needed an emissions test since the disabled veterans plate is a permanent plate and I never get notifications for renewal. Disabled veterans plates are provided by the state at no charge to service-connected disabled veterans.
“Now I have to get an emissions test and pay a $30 reinstatement fee with motor vehicle in order to drive my vehicle. I have no problem with the emission test, but I do have a problem with not getting notified and getting suspended, then having to pay a $30 reinstatement fee. What is up with that? One agency blames the other, but that does not help the hundreds of veterans who have disabled veterans plates. Can something be done?”
And David Dunlap emails, “Something you said in a recent column brought on a light bulb for me. I am a disabled veteran and have the permanent plates from the MVD. I’ve been blissfully going along thinking life was good and I’d never have to mess with my registration again. However, as a resident of Bernalillo County am I still supposed to be getting the pollution inspection?” Yes, and yes. Benjamin Cloutier, who handles information for MVD, says, “Vehicle owners who don’t have to renew registration receive a notice for emissions 30 days prior to expiration. However, new vehicles are exempt from emission for a four-year period after purchase.
“Recently, an error caused our system to generate suspension letters for 147 vehicle owners near the end of their four-year exemption. None of the affected individuals’ vehicle registrations were actually suspended. Those who received a letter in error will be contacted. The owners still need to get emissions at the end of their four-year exemption if they have not already done so. However, we apologize for the notification error and any inconvenience it may have caused.” LINES YOU CAN AND CAN’T
CROSS: After a recent column waded in to the difference between solid white vs. solid yellow lines (traffic in the same direction vs. traffic in opposing directions), jhall, a “professional in the field,” emails an expanded delve into striping:
Longitudinal solid lines may ■ be crossed in several instances, including: white edge lines on the right are not normally broken for driveways; obviously they can be crossed. The solid yellow line that is part of the marking scheme for two-way left-turn lanes; obviously
these can be crossed or the lane wouldn’t function. A solid yellow line with an adjacent broken line marks a one-directional no passing zone, and double yellow solid lines mark a two-directional no passing zone; unless prohibited by signs, motorists may turn across these lines to exit or enter the roadway.
Transverse white lines, such ■ as crosswalks and STOP bars, can and must be crossed by motorists. AND HELP YOU SHOULD THINK
TWICE ABOUT: Jerry Shea has this to say about holding back to allow a driver to turn across several lanes of traffic. You only control your lane. That came to light in my colleague Joline Gutierrez Krueger’s column of Feb. 5, about injuries that happened when drivers in two through lanes stopped to allow a woman to turn across their path. A vehicle coming up the shoulder hit the turning vehicle, seriously injuring the driver as well as the child inside the through vehicle.
Jerry says, “I used to be a good guy and help clear a path for those wanting to make a left turn across traffic while I was waiting for a light. But more than once I have seen what happens when a person zipping down a third lane — even a legitimate lane — does not realize what is happening and there is a smash-up.
“Now I am a grinch about it, because that is the lesser of two evils. I really wish we could get the word out about that. A painful irony when good intentions go wrong.”