Santa Fe median ordinance to take effect Saturday

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Santa Fe median ordinance to take effect Feb. 1

People won't be able to sit, stand or lie on a median narrower than three feet, unless you're crossing a road.

SANTA FE, N.M. — New rules of the road will soon take effect in Santa Fe but they’re not for the drivers.

Starting Saturday, it will be illegal for people to sit, stand or lie on medians narrower than three feet unless someone is trying to cross the street safely.

If you’re caught violating this ordinance, you could face a $25 fine.

The Santa Fe City Council approved that ordinance this past summer.

“This affects a very small proportion of medians in Santa Fe. I believe its less than 3%, to be honest, so the fact is, this is just for the extreme cases that are three feet or less,” said

Critics argue the new law unfairly target people who are homeless.

In Albuquerque, people are not allowed to stand on a median narrower than four feet wide. On streets where the speed limit is at least 30 mph, the city put up signs up at 15 busy intersections across Albuquerque. That Includes Menaul and San Mateo, University and Gibson and Coors and Montaño.

Los Lunas put a similar ordinance in place in October. Village leaders say people standing in the median will get a warning the first time. If they are found doing it again, they will get up to a $100 fine.