Best Car Insurance in New Mexico (2024) Car Insurance Guide (Cheap Rates + Best Companies)

Best Car Insurance in New Mexico (2024) Statistic Summary

Road Miles 27,435

Registered Vehicles 1,760,197

State Population 2,082,264

Most Popular
Vehicle Ford F-150

Percentage of
Uninsured Motorists 20.80

Driving Deaths Speeding: 141 Drunk Driving: 120

Average Premiums Annually

Liability: $488 Collision: $276.98 Comprehensive: $172.57

Cheapest Provider: USAA and State Farm

New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment, a place with a little bit of everything, like captivating desert lands, hot springs, beautiful mountains, and stunning Spanish colonial architecture. The state’s motto comes from a 1935 New Mexico Tourist Bureau brochure that promoted it as “the Land of Enchantment.”

By 1941, the nickname appeared on state license plates, and the state officially adopted it in 1999. The video below features the official state ballad named — you guessed it — “The Land of Enchantment”:

When it comes to researching car insurance, do you feel like you’re in a Land of Enchantment, or are you on the road to nowhere? If you’ve lost your direction, don’t worry. You’ve found the right place.

This is your guide to car insurance. We’ll go over the state’s minimum car insurance coverage requirements, average rates, state car insurance, and driving laws, and everything else connected to auto insurance. You’ll learn all you need to make an informed decision.

So, strap yourself in and let’s get ready to roll.

And, if you want to start comparison shopping right now, enter your zip code in the box above.

What Should You Expect from New Mexico Insurance Coverage and Rates?

Just the thought of looking up car insurance companies’ prices can seem nerve-wracking. Where should you go? What should you do?

Fortunately, information is available at our fingertips. But the problem often comes down to the many results you receive, and you might not always get what you need. In this guide, we cut to the chase and give you the facts (without the fluff).

In the section below, we’ll cover New Mexico’s minimum insurance coverage requirements, the average cost of premiums, and more interesting details to help you find the right insurance. Read on for some insightful information.

What’s New Mexico’s Car Culture like?

The different economic climates throughout New Mexico affect the types of cars you’ll see on its roads, whether they’re Acuras or Lexus or pickup trucks like the Fords that ranchers prefer.

The Hartford’s “State of Driving” describes New Mexico as “a land of contrasts.” Besides the variety of vehicles along its highways, you’ll notice smooth blacktop in some areas and other roads marked with mudholes.

TRIP, a national transportation research group, recently ranked New Mexico sixth in the nation for the state of its roads. The organization found that 25 percent of rural New Mexico roads are in poor condition, and 21 percent of its back roads are in mediocre condition.

They described 7 percent of the state’s bridges as “structurally deficient.” So, you may need to fasten your seatbelt to prepare for a bumpy ride as you move from city blocks to rural stretches of desert lands. It’s all part of the charm that comes with the territory of the Land of Enchantment.

What’s New Mexico’s Minimum Coverage Policy?

New Mexico requires drivers to carry bodily injury liability and property damage liability insurance in the following minimum amounts:

• $10,000 for property damages from an accident
• $25,000 for injuries to one person in an accident
• $50,000 for injuries to all people in an accident

The state also requires drivers to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, but you can opt-out. To refuse it, you will need to sign a form and give it to your insurance provider.

Forgoing uninsured motorist coverage may not be the wisest decision, however. According to the Insurance Information Institute, New Mexico ranks third in the U.S. for the number of uninsured drivers, at 20.3 percent, so you assume the risk of paying lots of damages later if you don’t carry that coverage.

Besides uninsured motorist coverage, we suggest you buy more than the required minimum coverage to pay for all damages from a potential accident. Otherwise, if the costs exceed your coverage limits, you may have to pay them yourself.

Read More: How the States Rank on Uninsured Drivers

Should You Buy Additional Auto Coverage in New Mexico?

Cheap car insurance that only meets state minimums covers the other party’s liability when you’re at fault in an accident. If you want coverage for your own property damage and bodily injury on an auto policy, you’ll need to consider PIP and collision coverage. Many drivers also buy comprehensive insurance to cover damage not associated with an accident. This could include heavy hail, a falling tree, a loose animal, and much more.

Of course, this will raise your premium on insurance quotes. If you cannot afford to pay for your own repairs and injuries on your own, though, it could save you thousands after an accident.

When do you Need to Show a Form of Financial Responsibility?

In New Mexico, you must show proof of insurance or financial responsibility in the following situations:

• If you’re in an accident
• When you apply for a title
• When you register a car
• If an officer pulls you over

The Mandatory Financial Responsibility Act (MFRA) requires motorists to have the ability to settle damages from accidents or buy motor vehicle insurance. Unless the motor vehicle is exempt per MFRA guidelines, drivers must carry the below proof of financial responsibility:

• A current insurance card meeting the state minimum liability coverage requirements
• If a motorist has met the criteria for the insurance set for workmen’s compensation liability — a self-insurance certificate from the Superintendent of Insurance

The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) also accepts the following forms of financial responsibility for vehicle registrations:

• A copy of your current auto insurance policy
• A letter from your car insurance company verifying that you have auto insurance coverage

The state doesn’t currently accept electronic forms of proof of insurance.

Note New Mexico police officers are not required to accept e-insurance cards. Even if you sign into your account to get the card, they can still request a paper version or issue a ticket. Vehicle registration generally requires proof of insurance, and the state will upload it to their database at that time. In New Mexico, at a traffic stop, officers can also check the state’s electronic verification system to see if you’re insured.

How Much of Your Income Goes to Insurance Premiums in New Mexico?

The amount of money you earn after taxes is your per capita disposable income (DPI). Below is data on how much the average New Mexican spends on car insurance every year, including the percentage of their incomes that go toward it.

New Mexico’s average DPI as of 2014 is $33,358. Residents have $2,779 to spend monthly on living expenses, from food to rent to a mortgage, and yes, even car insurance.

Out of that, they pay an average of $920 annually for car insurance or $76 monthly. That’s still less than the nationwide average of $981.77 yearly.

From 2012 – 2014, the average cost of annual car insurance premiums in New Mexico rose by nearly $60. Residents of neighboring states Colorado and Utah paid about the same as New Mexicans for their car insurance, though Utahn residents paid annual premiums under $900.

What are the Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates in NM (Liability, Collision, Comprehensive)?

Below are the average costs of liability, collision, and comprehensive car insurance coverage in New Mexico as part of a full coverage premium. This data comes from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Expect rates in 2019 and beyond to continue to rise.

As shown, collision and comprehensive insurance cost less than liability coverage. So getting more coverage for greater peace of mind and protection is affordable.

Though you must buy liability coverage in New Mexico, collision and comprehensive will cover other property damages. Collision pays for damages if you hit something, and comprehensive covers damage from “acts of God” such as theft, fire, and hail damage. (For more information, read our What are ‘Acts of God’ and when are they covered?“).

Is There an Additional Coverage?

The below NAIC data, based on the state minimum coverage, spans 2012 – 2014.

A loss ratio shows how much money a company pays in claims. Figures over 100 percent indicate a company is losing money. If they’re far below 100 percent, the company isn’t paying much in claims. As the above numbers show, New Mexico insurers pay a fair amount of claims.

Other options for additional liability coverage in the Land of Enchantment include medical payments (or MedPay), Personal Injury Protection (PIP), and uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

MedPay covers medical expenses, and PIP will pay for medical expenses, burial costs, childcare expenses, and lost wages.

As we mentioned earlier, a high percentage of New Mexico drivers are uninsured, so consider buying more than the mandatory minimum coverage required in case of an accident.

Are There any Add-Ons, Endorsements, Riders?

You can add more coverage to a basic car insurance policy. Below are some of the most popular options available in New Mexico:

• Guaranteed Auto Protection (GAP)
• Personal Umbrella Policy (PUP)
• Rental Reimbursement
• Pay-as-You Drive or Usage-Based Insurance
• Emergency Roadside Assistance
• Mechanical Breakdown Insurance
• Non-Owner Car Insurance
• Modified Car Insurance Coverage
• Classic Car Insurance

Pay-as-you-drive or usage-based insurance will reward you for following safe driving habits regularly. Insurers who offer the coverage will track your driving using a telematics device attached to your car’s diagnostic port or through a mobile device app.

One such program available in New Mexico is Travelers’ IntelliDrive® program. It uses a smartphone app to record and score the driving behavior of drivers covered under your policy. If you enroll, you may be eligible for insurance discounts on your policy’s first term.

Travelers Insurance states that safe driving habits can lead to savings of up to 20 percent for those renewing policies; those who sign up immediately receive a 10 percent discount. Policyholders who drive 13,000 miles or less yearly can receive up to a 30 percent discount.

IntelliDrive allows you to set safe driving rules for your teen and receive email or text alerts to let you know if the vehicle is being driven outside the safe driving guidelines. GPS also lets you know where your car is being driven.

Information tracked includes mileage, time of day, speed, braking, and acceleration measured through an installed telematics device plugged into your vehicle’s diagnostic port.

The app also offers coaching tips to teenage drivers.

Read more: How to Find a Safe, Budget-Friendly Car for your Teen

What are the Average Monthly Car Insurance Rates by Age & Gender in New Mexico?

In this section, we’ll explore the major factors that go into setting car insurance rates. We’ve partnered with Quadrant Information Services to bring you the data below. It’s based on coverage the state population has purchased and includes rates for high-risk drivers and drivers who choose to buy more than the state minimum, as well as other types of coverage the state doesn’t require.

First up, we’ll cover male versus female rates and how they affect different age groups.

As the table above shows, there’s not much of a difference in cost for male versus female drivers. Generally, men have been found to get into more accidents than women.

There’s a major price difference for 17- and 25-year-olds compared to those aged 35 and older. This reflects the amount of risk insurers feel they need to bear because of a driver’s inexperience.

What are the Rates in New Mexico’s 10 Largest Cities?

Now, let’s go over the rates for the 10 most and least expensive cities in New Mexico.

From the most expensive city, Albuquerque, to the leave expensive, Alamogordo, the price difference is just under $1,000. This shows that where you live can affect your rates.

What are the Cheapest Auto Insurance Rates by Zip Code?

Here are the average costs for premiums in New Mexico cities and towns by zip code.

Annual Average Rates in New Mexico by ZIP code

How does ZIP code affect auto insurance? Factors like traffic, crime, and claim frequency in your area all matter. Find out how your ZIP code compares against other zips in NM.

Generally speaking, the higher the population, the more average car insurance premiums will cost.

What are the Cheapest Insurance Rates by City?

Here’s the same information, this time organized by city or town name.

What are the Best New Mexico Car Insurance Companies?

Out of all of the car insurers in the Land of Enchantment, which ones are the best? It can be hard to get used to the thought of changing car insurance providers, and the many options available can leave you wondering what to do.

This section is here to help you. We’ll cover company financial rankings, complaints, reviews, and much more.

Let’s get ready to explore car insurance companies further.

What Is the Financial Rating of the Largest Companies?

A.M. Best rates insurance companies based on their overall financial strength. To arrive at their decisions, they look at a company’s operating costs, profitability, and other factors.

State Farm and USAA are among the leading contenders to receive A.M. Best’s highest score of “A++,” which shows that they’re financially solid and can afford to pay premiums.

Let’s find out more about insurers through reviews.

Which Companies Have the Best Ratings?

J.D. Power’s annual U.S. Auto Insurance Study reveals how well companies achieve customer satisfaction.

Who is the cheapest car insurance company in NM? Review the average auto insurance rates by company below:

Of the major companies who qualified in J.D. Power’s rankings, The Hartford and State Farm received five Power Circles, meaning they’re “among the best.”

Which Companies Have the Most Complaints in New Mexico?

You can expect a few complaints now and then. No matter what you do, you can’t please everyone, and insurance companies are no different. But, if a company receives several, it’s time to pay closer attention.

These are the number of complaints and related ratios for the top 10 insurers in New Mexico.

State Farm received the most complaints; however, compared to the overall number of customers, the complaint ratio of 44 percent out of 100 is fairly low.

Who are the Cheapest Companies in New Mexico?

These are the cheapest and most expensive companies in New Mexico based on the average cost of premiums.

State Farm and USAA beat the state average premium rates by roughly half. Allstate, however, was among those that nearly matched the average.

What are the Commute Rates by Company?

As the table below shows, how far you commute regularly can affect your rates.

Take a look at these 6 major factors affecting auto insurance rates in New Mexico.

Farmers, Nationwide, Progressive, and Allstate didn’t change their rates for 10- versus 25-mile commutes. The companies that factored in the distances, such as State Farm, sometimes raised rates by more than $100.

What are the Coverage Level Rates by Company?

Car insurance shoppers can compare companies based on their different coverage levels for a more price-based decision. These are rates for the top insurance providers in New Mexico.

Progressive was among the companies with a big gap between their lowest and highest coverages more than $1,000. Others, such as State Farm, had a spread as low as $200.

It can pay to shop around you may be able to get the highest coverage for more protection at an affordable price.

What are the Credit History Rates by Company?

As you’ll see below, your credit score is among the bigger factors in your car insurance rates.

The average American’s credit score is 675. New Mexico’s score ranks slightly below at 659, which is leaning more toward poor credit.

State Farm is among the companies that charge a true premium for imperfect credit scores — customers with good credit pay half the cost of those with poor credit.

What are the Driving Record Rates by Company?

Another major part of car insurance premiums is your driving record. One of the best ways to save is to keep it spotless.

Rates tend to rise more for the bigger penalty of a DUI versus a speeding ticket. With Progressive, even one speeding ticket can lead to a $500-rate increase from a clean record.

Who are the Largest Car Insurance Companies in New Mexico?

These are the largest insurers in the Land of Enchantment, ranked by premiums written, loss ratio, and market share.

State Farm tops the list, and, as indicated earlier, is among the strongest companies financially.

What is the Number of Insurers by State?

As shown below, a small number of insurers (“domestic” companies) were formed in New Mexico. The rest, the “foreign” companies, started out of state.

What are the New Mexico Laws?

State laws also affect car insurance rates, which makes obeying them crucial to both keeping your rate low and keeping yourself and others safe.

In this section, we’ll cover car insurance laws for windshield coverage and “high-risk” insurance, fraud, and other laws you should know.

So, let’s get started to learn more about how to stay legal on the road.

What are the Car Insurance Laws?

Car insurance laws control how companies operate in New Mexico. These are some of the most vital laws to keep in mind.

How New Mexico Car Insurance Rates are Determined

New Mexico’s Office of the Superintendent of Insurance controls car insurers’ rates and form filings. In setting rates, it follows the National Association of Insurance Commissioners‘ guidelines.

How to Get Windshield Coverage

For windshield replacement, New Mexico law allows insurers to use aftermarket or generic parts if the quality is comparable to the manufacturer’s parts.

Depending on the insurer and what they offer, comprehensive coverage may cover the cost of repair or replacement.

How to Get High-Risk Auto Insurance

Insurers consider drivers who have committed several violations as a “high risk” for coverage. Many times, insurance companies in the open marketplace deny them coverage or charge extremely high rates.

The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Insurance Plan (NMMVIP) offers a high-risk auto insurance pool to drivers who can’t qualify for coverage otherwise. The plan assigns drivers to certain insurers and the companies share the risk equally.

To be eligible to join, drivers must have New Mexico licenses and have registered their cars in the state.

They must also have been denied coverage within the past two months in the open marketplace. Premiums tend to cost more than those under traditional insurers.

How to Get Low-Cost Insurance

Though New Mexico has a program to help high-risk drivers, it does not have one for low-income drivers.

California, Hawaii, and New Jersey are the only states with government-funded programs to help low-income drivers pay for their car insurance.

Is There an Automobile Insurance Fraud in New Mexico?

Car insurance fraud occurs when people intentionally falsify or provide incomplete information to get insurance benefits.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, car insurance fraud costs insurers $16 billion annually. The insurers then transfer these losses onto consumers in the form of higher rates.

Car insurance fraud is a crime in New Mexico. Perpetrators can face fines and jail time.

The state considers the following actions as forms of insurance fraud:

• Falsifying information on an insurance application
• Filing a false claim
• Making a false document for support of a claim
• Making a false statement to obtain a policy or to obtain or maintain any kind of compensation

There are penalties:

• Victim loss of $250 or less: six months in prison and a $500 fine
• Victim loss of over $250: one year in prison and a $1,000 fine
• Victim loss between $500 – $2,500: 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine
• Victim loss between $2,500 – $20,000: three years in prison and a $5,000 fine
• Victim loss over $20,000: nine years in prison and a $10,000 fine

The New Mexico Office of the Superintendent of Insurance investigates insurance and other fraud claims.

To report insurance fraud, you can fill out an online form or call the Office of the Superintendent of Insurance at (855) 857-0972.

According to their 2016 Annual Report, the Office investigated 747 insurance fraud cases that year and referred 18 for prosecution. They processed and recommended 81.26 percent of insurance fraud complaints for further administrative action or closure within 60 days.

What’s the Statute of Limitations?

The time limit, or statute of limitations, to file a personal injury claim in New Mexico is three years. For property damage claims, it’s four years.

What are the Vehicle Licensing Laws?

Keep reading to find out about the laws regulating the license you need to drive on New Mexico’s roads.

What is Considered a Real ID?

The federal Real ID Act requires a more secure form of identification for entry into federal buildings and for domestic air flights starting on October 1, 2020. In the meantime, existing New Mexico driver’s licenses and ID cards will continue to be accepted until that date or until their expiration. Real ID cards comply with the law and are valid proof of your identity.

In November 2016, the New Mexico MVD started issuing Real ID cards. You’re not required to get one. The MVD will continue to issue regular driver’s licenses and ID cards.

To get a Real ID license or ID card, you must present original or certified copies of your proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of address in person.

The MVD emphasizes that there’s no rush. You can wait until your next renewal or until you need to change your name or address.

This video offers more insights on how to get a Real ID card in New Mexico:

What are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance?

As we mentioned earlier, you’ll need to show proof of insurance under the following scenarios in New Mexico:

• If you’re in an accident
• When you apply for a vehicle title
• When you register a car
• When an officer stops you

If you don’t have insurance, the New Mexico MVD will give you 30 days to provide proof. If you don’t, they will suspend your registration, and you’ll need to pay $30 to reinstate it. Driving without insurance in New Mexico will result in a $100 fine.

First offenders face the following penalties:

• Fine up to $300
• Imprisonment up to 90 days
• License suspension

So, make sure that you have proof of insurance with you at all times; otherwise, you face potential fines and jail time.

What are the Teen Driver Laws?

Young drivers in New Mexico must be at least 15 years old to get a learner’s permit. As part of the state’s graduated driver’s license program, teens must meet the following requirements to get a full or restricted license.

Teen drivers who get a restricted license must comply with the following rules.

A crucial part of safe driving for drivers of all ages is to reduce or remove distractions. Drivers with learner’s permits or restricted licenses can’t text or use a hand-held device.

What are the License Renewal Procedures for Older Drivers?

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, older drivers must meet the following requirements for license renewal:

• Renewals: ages 67 -74 – every four years; age 75 and older – every year
  • effective 10/01/19: ages 71 – 78 – every four years; ages 79 and older – every year
• Provide proof of vision at every renewal if age 75 years or older; otherwise, it’s required at every in-person renewal
• Mail or online renewal: You can do so at every other renewal unless you need a new photo. This isn’t allowed for drivers aged 75 and older.

What is the Procedure for New Residents?

As the New Mexico MVD welcomes you to the Land of Enchantment, it will request the following from new residents when they apply for their licenses:

• Social Security card
• Birth certificate
• A current driver’s license
• Two proofs of the current physical address (bank statements, pay stubs, utility bills, etc.)
• Drivers aged 18 – 24 only: completion of the None for the Road program to curb accidents, citations, and deaths related to drunk driving

Best of all, 10 MVD Express locations throughout the state let you process your vehicle documentation without the large lines, so you can Get In, Get Done, and Get Going.

What are the License Renewal Procedures?

These are New Mexico’s license renewal requirements for the general population.

Unless you need a new photo, you can go eight years without an in-person trip to the MVD if you choose to renew online or by mail.

What is Considered a Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS)?

Committing certain driving offenses in the Land of Enchantment can earn you points on your license. The points may ultimately lead to a driver’s license suspension or revocation.

Part of New Mexico law prohibits the assignment of points for speeding convictions on rural highways except in Bernalillo County. The law defines a “rural highway” as “part of a highway that is located at least two miles outside of the boundaries of an incorporated city, town or village.”

An exception is for vehicles that weigh 12,000 pounds or more and for speeding convictions if the motorist’s excessive speed was cited as a factor in an accident.

Below are some of the major violations that can generate points.

First up: careless driving, such as speeding or making sharp turns, is a misdemeanor crime. These are the penalties.

Reckless driving may harm yourself and others. Though it’s also classified as a misdemeanor offense, the penalties are worse than for careless driving.

These are some more common offenses and the points that can result:

• Speeding 26 mph or more over the posted limit on any road way if the limit is 15, 30, or 75 mph: eight points
• Passing a school bus taking or discharging passengers or displaying a warning not to pass: six points
• Speeding 16-25 mph over the posted limit on any road way if the limit is 15, 30, or 75 mph: five points
• Failure to yield to the right of way to an authorized emergency vehicle: four points

It’s best to obey the rules to keep yourself and others safe than to engage in potentially criminal behavior.

What are the Rules of the Road?

Now that we’ve covered some of the penalties you should avoid, we’ll go into more detail about the rules of the road.

Is New Mexico at Fault or No-Fault State?

In New Mexico, drivers who are at-fault for an accident must pay for any damages or injuries.

When it comes to filing a legal claim as a result of negligence or breaching the duty not to harm others, the state follows a doctrine of “pure” comparative negligence.

This means that a judge or a jury will assign each party part of the blame for an accident. For example, if your damages were $70,000, and you were found to be 40 percent responsible for the accident, you would recover $30,000 of the damages. You would be responsible for $40,000 of them.

You may also receive damages regardless of your degree of fault — whether it’s two percent, 51 percent, or even 99 percent.

What are the Seat Belt & Car Seat Laws?

Below are New Mexico’s seat belt and child safety seat laws.

Violations of the seat belt law are a primary offense, which means an officer may pull over violators and ticket them for not wearing a seat belt.

Here are New Mexico’s child seat safety laws:

New Mexico also restricts riding in the cargo areas of pickup trucks to those aged 18 and older.

What are the Keep Right & Move Over Laws?

In New Mexico, if you’re driving in the left lane, you must not travel below the speed of the traffic around you.

According to AAA, state law requires drivers who approach a stationary emergency, recovery, or repair vehicle to slow down and move to the next lane (if they can). Drivers who can’t change lanes must slow down and prepare to stop.

What’s the Speed Limit?

In New Mexico, the speed limit is 75 miles per hour on rural and urban interstates, 65 miles per hour on other limited-access roads, and 55 miles per hour on all other roads.

You may also get a ticket not just for violating these limits, but for driving above the “absolute” speed limit. Unless otherwise posted, it’s 35 miles per hour in business and residential areas and 15 miles per hour in school zones.

The fines for exceeding these limits vary based on your speed versus the posted limit.

How Does Ridesharing Work?

Under the Transportation Network Company Services Act, New Mexico requires rideshare drivers to comply with the following safety regulations:

• Be age 21 or older
• Pass a background check before approval
• Have a clean driving record with at least three years’ driving experience
• Drive sober; the state has a “zero tolerance” policy for those who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Drive a vehicle that is properly registered and inspected
• Have “two-tier” insurance coverage during rides – When you’re not ridesharing, you must carry minimum liability coverage of $100,000. And when you pick up a passenger, you should have liability coverage of $1 million.

Farmers and Geico are among the insurers in New Mexico who offer rideshare coverage.

Is There an Automation on the Road?

New Mexico doesn’t currently have any laws regarding autonomous vehicles, but there is talk about them. In 2018, the New Mexico Department of Transportation organized a summit regarding the long-term benefits of driverless vehicles.

And a senator recently proposed a bill to bring self-driving cars to the Land of Enchantment:

What are the Safety Laws?

In this section, we’ll cover the laws that most affect everyone’s safety on the road: DUI, marijuana-impaired, and distracted driving laws.

What are the DUI Laws?

The crime of drunk driving is, unfortunately, a major cause of accidents. In 2017 alone, 120 people died from alcohol-related crashes in New Mexico.

Fortunately, the laws in New Mexico are fairly strict and act as a deterrent. If you’re caught with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more, you are violating the state’s DWI law and will face fines and prison time.

Any level of DWI requires you to participate in a None For The Road class. Any DWI conviction will stay on your record for 55 years. This also means you will likely be a higher-risk driver and face increased insurance rates.

What are the Marijuana-Impaired Driving Laws?

New Mexico doesn’t have specific laws regarding marijuana-impaired driving. Regardless, as the New Mexico MVD states, “Driving under the influence of any drug that makes you drive unsafely is against the law.”

The MVD also says studies have shown that marijuana users make more mistakes, have more trouble adjusting to glare, and get arrested for more traffic violations than other drivers.

Impaired driving earns the same penalties as an alcohol-related DWI: fines, jail time, license suspension, and so on.

What are the Distracted Driving Laws?

New Mexico bans texting while driving, however, fully licensed drivers may still talk on the phone. Drivers with learner’s permits or intermediate license holders may not use cell phones at all.

This New Mexico State Police video to promote Distracted Driving Awareness Month (in April) reminds drivers of the dangers:

What’s Driving in New Mexico like?

You’ll see long stretches of highway throughout New Mexico — roads in varying conditions running through the desert while the sun beats down and eventually sets, letting the stars shine.

Among the risks of driving in this Land of Enchantment are vehicle thefts and fatal crashes, which can make you worry about whether you and your loved ones can stay safe. Below, we’ll go over figures that highlight these dangers and the major causes of crashes.

The crash statistics come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and serve as a reminder to drive safely.

Is There a Vehicle Theft in New Mexico?

Some cars are stolen more than others because of their resale value (including parts). These are among the most popular cars stolen in New Mexico.

Next, let’s see how many cars were stolen in each city.

What’s the Vehicle Theft Rate by City?

These FBI figures from 2017 show which New Mexico cities are “hotbeds” of car theft.

Typically, cities with higher populations, such as Albuquerque, tend to have more vehicle thefts than rural areas.

What’s the Number of Road Fatalities in New Mexico?

How many crashes have occurred on New Mexico highways? What caused them? We’ll answer those questions in this section.

Which is the Most Fatal Highway in New Mexico?

The New Mexico highway with the most traffic deaths is Interstate 40 (I-40), which connects the state with Arizona
and Texas. An average of 34 deaths occurs along the highway each year.

What’s the Number of Fatal Crashes by Weather & Light Condition?

Let’s see how weather and light conditions affected accidents in New Mexico.

The majority of crashes occurred in normal daylight conditions.

What’s the Number of Fatalities (All Crashes) by County?

Here is a snapshot of the fatal crashes in each New Mexico county.

Bernalillo, the most populated county, topped the list with the most accidents.

What’s the Number of Traffic Fatalities?

For more insights into crash locations, here is a breakdown of the crashes on urban and rural roads from 2008 – 2017.

Overall, more crashes occurred on rural roads, though in recent years, this number has decreased slightly, while it increased a bit on urban roads.

What’s the Number of Fatalities by Person Type?

These were the fatalities from 2013 – 2017 by type of vehicle.

As you can see, most of the crashes involved occupants of passenger cars.

What’s the Number of Fatalities by Crash Type?

These figures feature not just certain types of vehicles, but certain actions that led to fatalities.

Most of the crashes involved single vehicles, followed by roadway departures.

5-Year Trend for the Top 10 Counties

Here’s how many crashes occurred by county from 2013 – 2017.

Sadly, we see a trend of fatal accidents rising in recent years.

What’s the Number of Fatalities Involving Speed by County?

This time, we’ll look at the number of speeding-related deaths by county.

Again, unfortunately, for the most part, the numbers increased from 2013 – 2017.

What’s the Number of Fatalities In Crashes Involving an Alcohol-Impaired Driver?

Here are the numbers of alcohol-related crashes that led to deaths on New Mexico roads.

As with many other types of crashes, many times, the number of deaths rose over the years.

What are the Teen Drinking & Driving Laws?

In New Mexico, it’s illegal to drive with a breath or blood alcohol concentration of .02 if you’re under 21.

New Mexico has among the highest rates of underage drinking and driving in the U.S. With 62 total arrests in 2016, the state ranks 15th nationwide.

The state also averages 2.6 per 100,000 alcohol-impaired driving deaths under age 21 per one thousand people. This is more than double the national average of 1.2 per 100,000.

What’s the EMS Response Time?

Below, we’ll look at Emergency Medical Services response times from the time of the crash to notification of arrival at the hospital.

The response times in rural areas were slightly longer than in urban areas, which may reflect the distance from, and potential difficulties in getting to, more remote areas.

What’s Transportation like in New Mexico?

Transportation takes us from point “A” to point “B,” but what happens along the way can affect our journeys. Traffic congestion, for instance, can lead to long commutes. Part of that involves the sheer number of cars on the road.

Here, we’ll look at the number of cars the average New Mexican owns, the average length of commutes, and the forms of transportation commuters take.

So, learn more about New Mexicans’ transportation habits with the below information Data USA has compiled. The bars in orange represent New Mexico and those in the gray show the U.S.

What is the Percentage of Car Ownership?

Car ownership is a modern-day symbol of independence. Let’s see how many cars New Mexicans own compared to the U.S. average.

About 40 percent of New Mexicans own two or more cars, which is just below the national average. In second place, more New Mexico residents own three or more cars than the national average.

What’s the Average Commute Time?

Here we break down how long it takes the average New Mexican to travel to and from work.

About 20 percent of New Mexicans travel 15 – 19 minutes to work. Residents face an average commute time of 21 minutes, which is below the U.S. average of 23.5 minutes. Fewer than two percent of residents take a “super commute” of 90 minutes or more.

What is the Preferred Commuter Transportation?

Now, let’s see how New Mexicans commute regularly.

Like the national average, most New Mexicans drive alone (79 percent). Only about 11 percent carpool, which is up above the U.S. average.

Is There a Traffic Congestion in New Mexico?

According to Inrix‘s Global Traffic Scorecard, Albuquerque is the 44th-most-traffic-congested city in the U.S. Drivers there lost an average of 57 hours in congested traffic.

Apart from the lost hours in traffic, traffic jams also cost drivers financially because of the loss of fuel and productivity. The average cost of congestion in New Mexico was $792 per driver.

According to the TomTom Traffic Index, Alburquerque drivers spent 16 percent more time in traffic. That amounts to 16 extra minutes daily or 62 extra hours per year. In the morning, drivers see their traffic time rise 21 percent, and in the evenings, drivers experience a 32 percent increase.

Highway drivers face a four percent increase in travel time compared to other roads, where there is a 24 percent rise.

This news report addresses Albuquerque’s traffic congestion problem:

We’ve come to the end of an eventful run through this comprehensive car insurance guide. What did you think? Did we answer your questions?

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