New Mexico drivers often fail to observe crucial rules of the road, such as not tailgating or texting while driving.
The state has enacted traffic laws to keep everyone on New Mexico’s roads safe. Still, some motorists choose not to comply with the rules of the road. These drivers create hazards for other vehicles and their passengers.
This article will explain seven of New Mexico’s most commonly ignored traffic laws. Read on to learn what they are and what you can do to be a better driver.
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1. New Mexico Slower Traffic Keep Right Law: The “Move Over” Rule
In New Mexico, if you are moving slower than the pace of traffic, you must keep to the right. Unless you are passing or getting ready for a left turn, stay in the furthest right-hand lane or next to the right-hand curb.
Any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another car or when preparing for a left turn.
2. New Mexico Flow of Traffic Law: The “Minimum Speed” Rule
If you see a posted minimum speed sign in New Mexico, legally, you must maintain at least that pace. Otherwise, you must travel at a speed that does not interfere with the normal flow of traffic. Unless you need to drive slower for safety or to comply with the law, you can get a ticket for driving too slowly in New Mexico.
A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or to be in compliance with law.
Whenever the state transportation commission or local authorities determine that slow speeds on any part of a highway consistently impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, the commission or the local authority may determine and declare a minimum speed limit below which no person shall drive a vehicle except when necessary for safe operation or to be in compliance with law.
3. New Mexico Driving in Left Lane Law: The “Passing on the Left” Rule
New Mexico’s code requires that you pass other vehicles on the left. When you need to enter the oncoming lanes to pass, you must ensure they are clear of vehicles headed in the opposite direction.
Before completing the pass, you cannot come within 100 feet of any traffic headed the other way. Additionally, you cannot pass if you can’t see the road ahead due to a hill or curve.
You must completely overtake the other vehicle before moving back to the right lane. The other driver is required to give way to your pass and cannot speed up while you pass.
The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless such left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken.
In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to the right-hand side of the roadway before coming within one hundred feet of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.
No vehicle shall at any time be driven to the left side of the roadway when approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve in the highway where the driver’s view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction.
4. New Mexico Rear-End Collision Law: The “Following Too Closely” Rule
New Mexico prohibits following the vehicle in front of you closer than is “reasonable and prudent.” This means you may need to leave more space in bad weather or traffic conditions to avoid illegal tailgating.
The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.
5. New Mexico Mobile Phone Driving Law: The “Hands-Free Driving” Rule
When driving on New Mexico’s roads, it is against the law to read or type text on a handheld mobile phone. An exception exists if you need to summon emergency help, such as an ambulance.
A person shall not read or view a text message or manually type on a handheld mobile communication device for any purpose while driving a motor vehicle, except to summon medical or other emergency help.
6. New Mexico Four-Way Intersection Law: The “4-Way Stop” Rule
New Mexico’s traffic code clears up any awkwardness if you reach an intersection simultaneously with another driver. The driver to the left must yield and allow the other driver to proceed through the intersection first.
When two vehicles enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
7. New Mexico Left Turn Intersection Law: The “Right of Way” Rule
Before you make a left turn, New Mexico’s code requires you to allow traffic heading the opposite way to clear. If any vehicles going the other direction are close enough to create a safety hazard, you must wait for them to pass. Then, you can proceed into the turn once the way is clear.
The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.
Said driver, having so yielded and having given a signal, may make such left turn and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection from said opposite direction shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle making the left turn.
Obeying the rules of the road will make you a safer, more courteous driver. By following New Mexico’s traffic laws, you can avoid getting a ticket and help prevent accidents. So, keep all seven of these commonly ignored laws in mind the next time you’re on the road.