New Mexico State Police remind truckers that they’re banned from the left lane

New Mexico State Police are reminding truck drivers that they must stay in the right lane under a law that went into effect over the summer.

On December 4, New Mexico State Police (NMSP) issued a statement asking truckers to obey a lane restriction law that went into effect in the summer of 2023.

The law requires trucks to stay in the right lane of any two or more lane highway unless actively passing another vehicle.

From NMSP:

Statewide, NM, The New Mexico State Police would like to remind drivers of Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) of the new law passed in July of 2023 regarding driving in the right lane. New Mexico Senate Bill 102, Section 1. 66-7-376 NMSA 1978, a truck tractor shall not be driven in the left lane of a roadway except under provisions as outlined by the bill. Failure to obey could result in a penalty assessment of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for the first and second offenses and five hundred dollars ($500) for the third offense.

The NMDOT will continue to place official signage on New Mexico Roadways to remind CMV drivers of the change as they travel through our State. For further information, education, or questions regarding this new State Bill, please contact the New Mexico Trucking Association (NMTA) at www.nmtrucking.org/contact.

The left lane legislation was introduced by Senator George Munoz in January 2023. Munoz says that the left lane truck ban will reduce traffic congestion and increase highway safety.