New Mexico
New Mexico speed limit differential bill advances
A bill nearing passage in the New Mexico Senate would introduce a speed limit differential for cars and trucks.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association believes roadways are safest when all vehicles are allowed to travel at the same rate of speed. The Association does not advocate for a specific speed limit.
New Mexico has 75 mph speed limits for all vehicles traveling on the state’s largest highways. Trucks traveling on multi-lane highways outside of municipalities are required to stay in the right-hand lane. Exceptions include overtaking and passing another vehicle.
Senate Bill 226
One bill, SB226, would slow down trucks to 65 mph on affected roadways. Violators would face $250 fines.
Sen. George Munoz, D-Gallup, told the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee that despite the left-lane rule, traveling on Interstate 40 with trucks is frustrating.
“If you ever drive I-40, you will enjoy the semi-truck traffic that tries to pass one another going up a hill at 55 mph. Traffic lines up for 10 miles. It’s a real safety factor,” Munoz testified.
His solution is implementing a speed limit differential.
“Senate Bill 226 just requires trucks to drive 65 mph,” Munoz told the Senate Judiciary Committee. “A few years ago, we did semis in the right-hand lane. That still didn’t fix the problem. This bill now just requires semi tractors in the right-hand lane at 65.”
Prior to the committee vote, Sen. Joshua Sanchez, R-Bosque, drew attention to the source of the problem.
“The issue is with the big corporate trucks that are governed at like 62, 65. Independent truckers run 75. (Big corporate trucks) are the guys who clog it up. It is a mess. I don’t know how to solve it … That’s why I wrote a no – for the independent truckers,” Sanchez said.
“They will get caught speeding. That’s how you solve it,” Munoz retorted.
A bill analysis from the New Mexico Department of Transportation, however, states that “this legislation could potentially result in at least a 10-mph speed limit differential between truck tractors and other vehicles on interstates, leading potentially to speed differential-related crashes as well as additional congestion.”
OOIDA challenges bill sponsor’s thinking
OOIDA believes different speed limits are counterproductive to safety. Specifically, speed differentials create more interactions between cars and trucks, which leads to dangerous passing, aggressive driving and an increase in the number of accidents.
Doug Morris, OOIDA director of state government affairs, said it is apparent Munoz views trucks as a nuisance.
Morris added that the bill sponsor must not be aware that motorists are responsible for more accidents than trucks.
“Many states who had split speed limits have gone back to standardized speeds for all vehicles,” Morris said. “What happens is that while trucks are going slower, there are more interactions with passing cars, causing a higher likelihood of an accident.”
The bill has advanced from the Senate Transportation Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee. The next stop is the Senate floor.
If approved there, SB226 would head to the House. Time is running out. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn for the year on March 22. LL
More Land Line coverage of New Mexico news is available.
Early voting for the 2026 New Mexico Primary Election begins Tuesday, May 5.
Residents can vote at county clerks’ offices until May 16, at which point more early voting locations open.
The Primary Election is on June 2.
Key races in New Mexico Primary Election?
Several state races have a crowded primary field including Democrat candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, governor and the state Legislature. Local races in Doña Ana and Otero County for sheriff and the Board of County Commissioners.
Who can vote in New Mexico Primary Election?
New Mexico has semi-open primary elections, which means voters who are not registered with a qualified political party may participate in the election by selecting which major party’s ballot they want to vote on without changing their voter registration.
Voters who have not registered with a qualified party can participate by selecting a major party’s ballot and vote.
Registration status, voting locations and sample ballots can be viewed at the New Mexico Secretary of State website.
Where to vote in Doña Ana County
Early voting at the Doña Ana County Government Center, 845 N Motel Blvd., Las Cruces, will begin from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. Monday through Friday on May 5 until May 29, and from 10 a.m. through 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.
Alternate site early voting locations will begin at 11 a.m. on May 16 and run through May 30 from Tuesday through Saturday.
The alternate site locations in Doña Ana County are:• Anthony Library (750 Landers Road, Anthony)• HVPS Student Services (350 Main Street, Hatch)• Doña Ana County Community College (755 Prescott Anthony Drive, Chapparal)• Doña Ana County Community College (800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd., Las Cruces)• Doña Ana County Community College (3365 McNutt Road, Sunland Park)• Las Cruces City Hall (700 N. Main Street, Las Cruces)• Mesilla Town Hall (2231 Avenida de Mesilla, Mesilla)• Corbett Center Student Union (1600 International Mall, Las Cruces)
Same day registration will be available at the Doña Ana County Government Center during early voting and all absentee ballots may be returned to the County Clerk’s Office or any Election Day polling location no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Where to vote in Otero County
Early voting at the Otero County Clerk’s sub-office, 1101 New York Avenue, Room 101, will begin from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday through Friday on May 5 until May 29, and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.
Alternate site early voting locations will be staggered beginning on May 16 at 11 a.m. and run through May 30.
The alternate site locations in Otero County are:10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 16 through May 30Otero County Fairgrounds (401 Fairgrounds Road, Alamogordo)
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., May 27 through May 29Inn of The Mountain Gods (287 Carrizo Canyon Road, Mescalero)
8:00 am to 5:00 p.m., May 28 through May 30 Chaparral Far South Fire Station (827 Luna Street, Chaparral)
Josh’s Monday Night Forecast
Cloudier skies have moved into New Mexico today along with warmer temperatures. A few spotty to isolated showers have also developed this afternoon across western parts of New Mexico. Overnight, upper level moisture will increase across the region. This will bring more scattered to widespread shower and storm chances starting Tuesday.
Showers, storms and high elevation snowfall will move throughout much of the region with southeast New Mexico remaining quiet through Wednesday. Drier air moves in statewide by Thursday. This will bring fewer rain chances through the end of the week along with warming temperatures into the weekend.
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