Political signs pose hazard

KRQE TV

Updated: Oct 2, 2012 4:49 PM

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) — Five weeks out from the general election and political signs have been popping up around New Mexico, but some are not legal. 

Large clusters of signs have popped up on Highway 337 and Raven Road near Tijeras. These signs are on a state right of way and as a result are illegal.

The Department of Transportation says there is an uptick in political signs and according to sate statute, they are allowed to remove them. In some cases, DOT says the signs are dangerous because they can distract drivers and the larger signs aren't break away signs.

KRQE News 13 called most of the candidates with signs posted illegally in the right of way out in Tijeras.  Most weren't even aware the signs were there.  They say many people simply come in and get signs.

Whitney Potter with Martin Heinrich's campaign for senate said they will remove the signs immediately. 

Gilbert Gallegos with Michelle Lujan-Grisham's congressional race also wasn't aware of the signs in the right of way.  He said the campaign staff didn't put them up and many could be leftover signs people kept from the primary, but his staff would go out and take them down.

Janice Arnold-Jones is Lujan-Grisham's opponent in the congressional race. Arnold-Jones spokesperson, Charlotte Lane said they educate all their staffers about sign rules, but sometimes they give signs to supporters and those supporters are not as versed on the sign rules and regulations.  Lane said they are going to track down who put the illegal signs up and make sure it gets moved as quickly as possible.     

There are no real penalties for having those signs out there illegally.

DOT says it picks them up  and stores them for 14 days. If no one comes to get them, DOT disposes of them.

 

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