Opinion ID: 1038228
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations

Text: Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations “provide[s] for the proper use, management, government, and protection of persons, property, and natural and cultural resources within areas under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service.” 36 C.F.R. § 1.1(a). Part 4 of Title 36 (“Part 4”) regulates vehicles and traffic safety within park areas. See 36 C.F.R. §§ 4.1–4.31. Because the Lake Mead National Recreation Area is federally owned land operated by the NPS, all drivers within the park, Reed included, are subject to the traffic regulations set forth in Part 4. “[T]he foundation of [Part 4’s] vehicle and traffic safety regulations [is] the nonconflicting provisions of the respective State vehicle codes, which are adopted in § 4.2.” Vehicles and Traffic Safety, 52 Fed. Reg. 10670-01, 10670 (Apr. 2, 1987). Section 4.2 provides: (a) Unless specifically addressed by regulations in this chapter, traffic and the use of vehicles within a park area are governed by State law. State law that is now or may later be in effect is adopted and made a part of the regulations in this part. (b) Violating a provision of State law is prohibited. 36 C.F.R. § 4.2. In its final rule commentary, the NPS expounded on § 4.2 by stating: [Section 4.2], which applies regardless of the type of jurisdiction exercised by the NPS, 8 UNITED STATES V. REED adopts State vehicle codes as the basis for the regulation and control of traffic in park areas. The NPS is adopting, as if they were a part of the regulations in Part 4, all the applicable and nonconflicting vehicle and traffic laws of the State and local political subdivision(s) within whose exterior boundaries a park area or a portion thereof is located. Vehicles and Traffic Safety, 52 Fed. Reg. 10670-01, 10678 (Apr. 2, 1987). 36 C.F.R. § 4.23 addresses driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Specifically, § 4.23(a)(1) (the “federal DUI regulation”) prohibits “[o]perating or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle” when the operator is “[u]nder the influence of alcohol, or a drug, or drugs, or any combination thereof, to a degree that renders the operator incapable of safe operation.” 36 C.F.R. § 4.23(a)(1). Section 4.23(a)(2) (the “per se drunk driving regulation”) prohibits operating a motor vehicle when “[t]he alcohol concentration in the operator’s blood or breath is 0.08 grams or more of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or 0.08 grams or more of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.” 36 C.F.R. § 4.23(a)(2). Of particular significance to our discussion here, while the federal DUI regulation prohibits operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to a degree that renders the operator incapable of safe operation, the subsequent per se drunk driving regulation codifies only a per se alcohol provision, and does not include a corresponding per se drug provision. In its initial and final rule announcements of § 4.23(a), the NPS clarified that these two UNITED STATES V. REED 9 regulations were separate and distinct offenses, rather than alternative methods of establishing impairment: Paragraph (a) of this regulation addresses two individual offenses. The first is a standard prohibition against operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs . . . . The second offense involves operating a vehicle while the alcohol concentration in the operator’s blood is 0.10 grams or more of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or 0.10 grams or more of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. Vehicles and Traffic Safety (Final Rule), 52 Fed. Reg. 1067001, 10680 (Apr. 2, 1987); Vehicles and Traffic Safety (Proposed Rule), 51 Fed. Reg. 21840-01, 21843 (June 16, 1986).