Commercial trucks are involved in thousands of deadly accidents every year. In an effort to prevent truck accidents and improve the safety of highways in New Mexico, the state has passed a new law that prohibits semi-trucks from entering the left lane on any highway that has two lanes or more.
The Details of New Mexico’s New Semi-Truck Law
On April 4, 2023, the governor of New Mexico signed Senate Bill 102 into law. This bill requires large commercial trucks to remain in the right lane on any highway with two or more lanes, except when passing. No large truck will be allowed to operate in the left lane or “fast lane.” The law will go into effect on July 1, 2023. Any truck driver that violates this law will face a fine of up to $250.
After years of traffic delays, heavy traffic congestion and serious semi-truck accidents on highways in New Mexico – primarily, I-40 – Senator George Muñoz says the new law is for the safety of citizens. He introduced the bill in January of 2023 to reduce traffic congestion and enhance highway safety. This came after Senator Muñoz’s first attempt to pass a similar law in 2022 failed.
How Will the New Law Impact Traffic?
Once the new law goes into effect, you may find that your commute to and from work in New Mexico is shorter. Removing large trucks – which travel slower than passenger cars – from the left lane can free the lane up for faster-moving vehicles. Traffic will no longer be slowed down or stopped due to a large truck traveling at a low speed in the left-hand lane. This can improve overall speeds on highways and prevent traffic stoppages, shortening the length of the average driver’s commute.
New Mexico State Police Lieutenant Wendy Carpenter-Graft supports Senator Muñoz’s theory that keeping semi-trucks out of the left lane will help relieve traffic congestion on highways. She stated to KRQE News that although New Mexico is a very spread-out state with a low population, commercial traffic is still the same as it is in every other state. She believes that restricting large trucks to the right lane will better accommodate commercial traffic and alleviate highway congestion.
However, semi-trucks will still be able to enter the left lane when passing or approaching stationary emergency vehicles. The new law will not prevent large trucks from passing each other in the left lane. This means that other drivers may still find themselves stuck behind semi-trucks in the left lane, at least for the amount of time that it takes for the truck to pass a slower-moving vehicle.
Semi-Trucks and Traffic Accidents in New Mexico
New Mexico’s new law on keeping trucks out of the left lane could also help prevent truck accidents. This is just one of many trucking regulations that semi-truck drivers and trucking companies must obey for public safety. They must also follow state and federal regulations that pertain to fleet maintenance, truck performance, driver hiring and training, alcohol and drug testing, cargo and load securement, height and weight limits, hours-of-service restrictions, and more.
Keeping semis out of the left lane could prevent collisions between fast-moving vehicles and a large truck that cuts a driver off. If a truck driver violates any ordinance or regulation and this results in a harmful truck accident in New Mexico, victims may be eligible for financial compensation. If you get injured in an accident involving a semi-truck unlawfully driving in the left lane after the new law goes into effect, contact an attorney for assistance in holding the truck driver or company responsible.