One of the main causes of traffic accidents is speeding. States have implemented a range of measures to address this, including increased speed limits, speeding cameras, more stringent laws and regulations, and harsher penalties and consequences for drivers who are discovered breaking these laws.
In an effort to improve road safety and lower the number of people killed in speeding-related traffic accidents, New Mexico has recently proposed new amendments to its existing speeding rules.
On the road, speeding puts lives at danger
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that speeding cars were responsible for about 12,000 traffic fatalities.
Speeding has been responsible for almost one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities on the road for more than 20 years.
In addition to violating traffic regulations, speeding can result in the following outcomes, per the NHTSA:
- Increased stopping distance after the driver senses danger; decreased efficacy of occupant safety systems; increased risk of losing control of the vehicle;
- greater severity of the collision resulting in more serious injuries;
- consequences for the economy of a collision caused by speed; and higher fuel expenses.
The NHTSA collaborates with the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to advise states and governments on how to create and carry out safe-driving interventions as part of its mission to prevent speeding and safeguard the safety of all users of the road.
In order to detect and prosecute drivers who violate the law by speeding, they also train law enforcement officials on how to use speed-measuring equipment.
New Mexico’s new speeding regulations
Recently, a new bill to curb speeding was presented in New Mexico. Senate Bill 226 in the New Mexico Legislature states that all trucks on the road must be able to go no faster than 65 miles per hour if it is approved.
The driver would be fined $250 if they were found to be in violation of this law.
In addition to reducing speeding, this regulation aims to alleviate the traffic jams that trucks create on main thoroughfares as a result of their slower driving.
Although the regulation requires all trucks to remain in the right-hand lane, it aims to lessen traffic congestion by limiting trucks’ erratic speeding by establishing a minimum speed.
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After passing the Senate, the bill is currently pending a House vote.
OOIDA’s opposition to the bill
The proposed bill has drawn criticism from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), which asserts that separating speed restrictions for trucks and passenger cars actually makes driving more hazardous for all users of the road:
“Many states who had split speed limits have gone back to standardized speeds for all vehicles,” Doug Morris, OOIDA director of state government affairs stated. “What happens is that while trucks are going slower, there are more interactions with passing cars, causing a higher likelihood of an accident.”
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Additionally, according to OOIDA, passenger cars, not trucks, are at blame for the majority of traffic accidents. As a result, efforts to lower traffic fatalities ought to focus more on lowering these drivers’ infractions.
In order to combat irresponsible driving by drivers of passenger cars, other jurisdictions have implemented speeding and red-light cameras in addition to tougher penalties for violators, like higher fines.
