Driving and traffic laws of new mexico

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The Motor Vehicle Division sets driving laws and the local and state police ensure that all drivers follow the rules and regulations of the road. Below are some of the important state laws of road:

  1. Speed Limit:
    • All drivers are required to follow an unconditional speed limit of 75mph. The speed limit is 55mph -60mph in rural areas and 30mph when it comes to city roads.
    • Certain special areas like school zones or railway crossings, there will be signboards indicating that the speed limit is 15mph
    • Apart from speeding, you can also be charged for driving too slow, i.e. much below the required speed which may lead to accidents.
    • If you exceed the speed limit if 75mph, your license could be suspended or revoked.
  2. Alcohol Laws:
    • Blood Alcohol Limits (BAC) is used as a parameter to determine how intoxicated you are.
    • The maximum limit is around .08% which is permissible. If this limit is found to exceed you will be cited drunken driving
    • First-time transgressors may have to pay $500 fine in addition to court costs, 90 day suspension of license and 90 days in jail.
    • Drivers under the age of 21 will be charged  $500 fine and a six-month license suspension if there BAC level is above .02%
  3. Seat belt laws for children
    • All children must be seated in the rear seat with appropriate child restraint devices.
    • Children less than a year old should be seated in the rear end with the appropriate child restraint device
    • A standard forward-facing seat will be used for children aged 1-4 years
    • A booster seat will be used for children aged 5-6 years.
    • Children weighing less than 60Ibs, irrespective of age will use a booster seat.
  4. Point system details
    • The point system which is popular in many states is also followed be New Mexico.
    • If you acquire 6 points a year, you will receive a warning from the MVD cautioning you that you are very close to losing your license and you should be more careful.
    • If you have 10 points or more, your license will be suspended for 3 months.
    • If your total points for 12 continuous months is 12 points or above, your license will be suspended for 12 months.
    • You will have to take drivers examinations and training within 90 days of the suspension of license for your license to be revoked.
  5. Traffic laws
    • Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing the road legally.
    • It is illegal to drive on a sidewalk meant for pedestrians; you can only cross over it.
    • Signs such as “traffic circles” which are “rotary traffic circle” imply that you must drive on the right side of the island.
    • The state can turn any road in to a one-way road and there will be appropriate signs which will markedly guide you and those should be followed.
  6. Parking Rules:
    • You vehicle should be visible to other vehicles approaching from either direction
    • Your vehicle should be parked away from a traffic lane to avoid disrupting traffic.
    • You cannot park you vehicles in coloured curb marked areas.