New Mexico bill to force truckers to stay in the right lane vetoed

A bill that would have required trucks to keep in the right lane on New Mexico roadways has died after approval in the state House and Senate.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham opted not to sign Senate Bill 174, killing the bill with a pocket veto.

The bill was introduced by Sen. George Munoz. It passed in the Senate by a 33-5 vote and in the House by a 52-14 vote.

The bill would have required that “a truck tractor attached to a freight trailer operated on the interstate highway system and outside the boundaries of a municipality shall drive in the right-hand lane except when overtaking another vehicle or approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle or a recovery or repair vehicle displaying flashing emergency or hazard lights.”

Trucks caught illegally using the left lane would have faced a fine of up to $200.

Munoz said that the bill was intended to cut down on traffic delays, particularly on I-40.

The New Mexico Trucking Association spoke out in opposition to the bill.