Albuquerque is the capital of the state of New Mexico. While this city has a traditional urban sprawl and plenty of large buildings, it sits in the middle of some of the most beautiful landscape in the country. Albuquerque serves as a hub to some of the nation’s most fantastic rural areas. While plenty of visitors come to the city every year, there are also tons of full-time residents in the region.

Unlike larger cities such as New York City and Chicago, Albuquerque doesn’t have as much public transport available for residents. This means that residents are much more reliant on their own cars to get around the city. If you use a vehicle in Albuquerque, you know how expensive your insurance can be. We are a top resource for individuals looking to reduce their insurance costs. With our car insurance premiums calculator we match you with some of the best insurance companies on the market. This page is dedicated to helping you understand how to stay safe on roads in Albuquerque – check it out!

Albuquerque: Driving Conditions in the City

Albuquerque doesn’t have as many traffic problems as much of the major cities in the United States, but the city does have its own set of hazards that you need to consider. While there aren’t harsh winters in the region, there is the occasional freeze that means you’ll need to be careful when it’s very cold.

In addition, they have flash flooding occasionally when it rains. This can provide potentially dangerous situations. In addition, flooding can cause damage to your car even when you’re not driving. Make sure that you have a comprehensive insurance plan if you want to avoid some of the costs associated with flooding. You should also make sure to stay aware of potential weather warnings and park your car on elevated surfaces if there are flash flood warnings.

Driving Safely in Albuquerque, New Mexico

If you want to prepare yourself for driving on roads in Albuquerque, you need to make sure that you understand the local laws. In the United States, each state and city make their own laws for drivers. This means that there can be drastic difference between different cities and different states. While this has its advantages, it also means that you need to be especially careful when you’re going to new a place.

In this section of our article, we’re going to take a look at some of the top driving laws in the Albuquerque area. Make sure to check them out below – it can save you money and help you avoid trouble on the road.

Phone/Handheld Laws in Albuquerque

You are not allowed to text and drive in the state of New Mexico – the law was introduced to combat issues with distracted driving. People using their phones while driving has created a host of different problems – accidents from distracted driving can cause serious injuries and death. The state also recently banned use of phones for talking.

Albuquerque has decided to take this issue extremely seriously. The city has taken things further than the state of New Mexico – you cannot use your phone for any purpose while in city limits. If you’re caught on your phone in Albuquerque, you can be issued with a large fine. Make sure to think next time you try to use your phone while on the road in Albuquerque – it could cost you!

Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws in Albuquerque

New Mexico has strict laws when it comes to seatbelts and car seats. If you want to avoid issues with police, you should always wear a seatbelt. Everyone that drives in a vehicle in New Mexico has to wear a seatbelt – both passengers and drivers.

In terms of car seats, things get a bit trickier. We outline the basic rules for car seats in more detail below:

• If your child is four or under, they have to be in a car seat
• If your child is five or six years old, or under 80 lbs., they must use a booster seat while travelling in your vehicle
• If your child does not fit a regular belt properly, you must keep them in a booster seat until they do

Remember, your child’s safety is extremely important, so make sure to stay up-to-date on laws and recommendations regarding securing them in your vehicles.

Helmet Laws in Albuquerque

Helmets have been proven to save lives – you have a higher chance of avoiding serious injury from a motorcycle accident if you are wearing a helmet. In New Mexico, all people under the age of 21 are required to wear a helmet at all times while on a motorcycle – both driver and passenger. Those who are over the age of 18 do not legally need to wear helmet – though this is not advised!

Alcohol and Drug Laws (Driving)

If you are over the age of 21 in New Mexico, the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is .08. If you’re a driver of a commercial vehicle, this limit is reduced to .04. And if you’re a driver that is under the age of 21, your limit is .02. Some people choose to refuse a breath test to avoid a penalty, but you will lose your license for up to a year if you do this – you might face other punishments as well.

There are a range of different punishments for those who break these laws. You may face court costs, large fines, loss of license, and jail time. You will also have a SR22 monthly payment that is much higher than normal car insurance. Make sure never to drive your car when you’re impaired!

Albuquerque Statistics

If you’re looking to understand the dangers on roads in Albuquerque, it’s important to look at New Mexico as a whole. By looking at state data, we can see that New Mexico is much more dangerous than the national average – you have a much higher chance of being involved in a motor vehicle accident in the state of New Mexico. The death rate was over 25% higher than the national average in 2016.

Verdict

If you still have questions about getting cheap auto insurance in NM, make sure to look at some of the content on our site. We’re a top resource for anyone looking for additional information on auto insurance. Make sure to compare multiple lenders before you make a decision on a specific insurer – we have a host of low car insurance rates and companies listed on our site.