New Mexico offers a vibrant fusion of cultures, stunning landscapes, and culinary delights – not to mention affordable living. No wonder it’s called the Land of Enchantment!
However, if you’re planning on moving to the state, you should be aware that driving in New Mexico can be a different experience from cruising around in other places – for various reasons. So, here are five things you should know – as a driver – when making the move to New Mexico.
1. New Mexico Has Some Unique Traffic Laws
Here’s the scoop on one New Mexico-specific thing you’ll wanna lock down if you’re planning to cruise around the state – they’ve got this quirky law about unattended vehicles. In NM, it’s a no-go to leave your car humming without you in it. Yes, we all love coming back to a pre-cooled or warmed-up ride but do that here, and you might get slapped with a fine.
Also, keep in mind the pretty unique anti-donation clause in the state constitution; it prohibits using public money for private enterprises. That means fewer roadside assistance programs compared to other states.
2. You Need to Watch Out for Dust Devils
When hitting the road in New Mexico, you’ve gotta keep an eye out for those sneaky dust devils. These are like mini tornadoes kicking up sand and debris, appearing seemingly out of nowhere, especially during those dry, warm conditions that NM is famous for.
Sure, they seem kinda cool to watch from afar (they’re totally Insta-worthy if you’re into that sorta thing), but you don’t wanna get too close. Not only can they obscure your view in a hot second when they cross roads, but they also have a knack for tossing around small objects which could startle drivers or worse.
3. You Need to Respect No Passing Zones
Now, if you’re gonna drive in New Mexico, you’ve gotta get hip to how they handle No Passing zones out on the high desert roads. You’ll notice that these zones are often longer than what you might be used to elsewhere. It’s not just about your line of sight getting blocked by a bend or a hill – it’s those long, straight stretches where you’d think it’d be okay to overtake but aren’t.
NM traffic laws dictate some pretty extensive No Passing zones due to conditions like dust storms or sudden animal crossings – which are common in rural areas. To avoid having your wallet take a hit from fines or worse – getting into an accident – pay keen attention and don’t get tempted by those deceptive straightaways!
Always abide by the posted signs; they’re there for everyone’s safety, given the local conditions.
4. Albuquerque Is the Most Dangerous City in New Mexico for Road Accidents
If you are going to drive in Albuquerque, you should be aware that – according to the latest stats – the city saw more road accidents than any other city in the state in 2021. In fact, the metropolitan area of Albuquerque accounted for almost 39% of all New Mexico traffic accidents.
You can find out more about Albuquerque car accident statistics by looking at the information from this recent year with full statistics.
Now that you know how potentially dangerous driving in Albuquerque can be, you should ensure you take extra precautions when cruising through the city. And if you are thinking of moving to Albuquerque and road safety is your top priority, you may potentially want to consider moving to another city in New Mexico.
5. Buckle Up or Pay Up
Lastly, New Mexico is super serious when it comes to seat belts, and they have a strict Click It or Ticket policy to prove it.
It doesn’t matter if you’re just scooting over a couple of blocks, the rule’s the same for all seats: strap in or prepare your wallet for impact. This state doesn’t mess around; they’ve made wearing seatbelts mandatory statewide and they enforce the law with primary enforcement status.
So, play it safe and smart: always wear a seat belt.