move over laws, a $117 fine will be issued to any drivers failing to move over or slow down when they pass emergency or maintenance vehicles on the road.

From legal mandates to national holidays, there has been a decades-long movement to protect emergency responders, maintenance workers, and any authorized personnel whose role requires them to support roadside passengers in the event of an accident.

The terms of the laws vary between the 50 states, which is why learning the parameters of New Mexico’s state laws as a resident is essential to driving safely.

What are the move over laws in New Mexico?

The move over law in New Mexico calls for drivers who see lights, vests, or reflectors to take note of the surrounding traffic, slow down, and safely move over to a non-adjacent lane.

Under New Mexico Statutes Chapter 66, New Mexico drivers are required to:

Give emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights and/or sirens the right of way

If possible, pull over to the side of the road until the vehicle has passed

Drive in a non-adjacent lane to stationary authorized vehicles

Reasonably reduce their speed according to the traffic conditions

Slow down and prepare to stop when moving to a non-adjacent lane isn’t possible

New Mexico’s law also states that drivers of authorized vehicles aren’t exempt from driving with due regard for the safety of everyone on the roadway.

MORE:

New Mexico car accident laws

What is considered an emergency vehicle in New Mexico?

Move over laws in New Mexico apply to:

Police vehicles

Fire trucks

Ambulances

Construction and maintenance vehicles

Tow trucks

Penalties for violating New Mexico’s move over laws

If you neglect to slow down or create a safe distance between your car and an emergency vehicle in New Mexico, you can receive a fine of $117.

To avoid the fine, and the possibility of causing bodily injury as a result of a moving violation, it’s essential to stay alert on the road and follow the state's requirements.

Can violating move over laws raise your insurance?

With any traffic conviction in New Mexico, you’ll most likely pay the $117 fine, and the guilty plea will be transmitted directly to the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division. That stain on your official New Mexico driving record has a high probability of raising your insurance premium.

Driving safely is paramount to protecting others, yourself, and your car when you’re on the road, which is why insurance companies factor in your proven ability to follow the rules when it comes to your coverage rates.

“I have a really bad record, so all of my previous insurance quotes were pretty high. I started using
Jerry
and the fantastic app saved me $130 a month on my insurance.” —Jett A.

Why are there move over laws?

There’s only so much that emergency personnel and state-authorized workers can do to protect themselves from being struck by oncoming vehicles when they’re onsite at a roadside accident. Move over laws are imperative to maintaining their safety.

Tragic stories of fatal accidents from all over the map have inspired the implementation of move over laws since the 2000s, but one event in particular made things personal for residents of New Mexico.

Tow trucks weren’t initially included in New Mexico’s move over law when it was established in 2005. After the death of Bobby Unruh, who was killed by an 18-wheeler while performing recovery work after an accident in 2017, they were finally included.

Linda Unruh, Unruh’s mother and the owner of All-Rite Towing & Repair Inc., has become an avid proponent of protecting tow truck drivers. According to the

New Mexico Trucking Association

, tow truck drivers die in roadside accidents every six days on average in the United States.