Mayor calls to bill drivers in accidents

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — A New Mexico mayor has proposed billing drivers involved in car accidents resulting in hazardous material cleanup or victim extractions.

The Albuquerque Journal reported that Mayor Tim Keller’s budget proposal for fiscal 2020 includes a new “cost recovery” channel for Albuquerque Fire Rescue.

The proposed update of the city’s fire code ordinance says fees would range from $400 for hazard mitigation and cleanup, to $1,305 for use of “heavy rescue tools and other equipment” to remove victims from vehicles.

The mayor’s office said the department could also bill $400 per hour for additional time at accident scenes.

Officials said the proposal passes the cost of more complicated accident situations directly to those who require them.

Critics responded that the proposal charges more for municipal services already funded by taxes.

AP/The Baltimore Sun/JOSHUA MCKERROW Midshipman Christian Schwien of Fairfax, Va., celebrates after tossing a midshipman’s hat onto the top of the Herndon Monument at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., on Monday.