New Mexico
Deaths in Crashes Involving Teen Drivers in New Mexico
In 2008, 59 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers in New Mexico. Over the past five years, New Mexico crashes involving teen drivers claimed 373 lives. Nationally, since 1999, more than 84,400 people have been killed in crashes involving teen drivers.
Graduated Driver Licensing Laws in New Mexico
The current GDL law in New Mexico includes the following components:
- A three-stage licensing system beginning at age 15 for learner’s permit, age 15 years and 6 months for the intermediate stage, and age 16 years and 6 months for full licensure
- A mandatory 6 month holding period for the learner’s permit stage
- A minimum of 50 hours of supervised practice driving during the learner’s permit stage, at least 10 of which must be at night
- A prohibition on nighttime driving between midnight and 5 a.m. during the intermediate stage
- A passenger restriction prohibiting more than one passenger younger than age 21
These changes are needed to improve New Mexico’s GDL law and meet the requirements of the STANDUP Act
- Require age 16 for entry into the learner’s permit stage
- Extend restrictions on teen drivers through age 17
- Add a prohibition on non-emergency use of cell phones and other communications devices , including texting while driving, during the learner’s permit and intermediate stages
