The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions and special rules hereinafter stated:
A. the driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle; and
B. except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
History: 1953 Comp., § 64-7-310, enacted by Laws 1978, ch. 35, § 414.
Cross references. — For the penalty assessment for violation, see 66-8-116 NMSA 1978.
Left lane truck not proximate cause when right lane car swerving. — Where car signaled for a right turn and veered to the right, then suddenly signaled for a left turn and went from the right to the left side of the road, thereby creating a sudden emergency which truck driver in left lane could not reasonably avoid, truck driver exercised ordinary care in the circumstances and did not violate any statutory or customary rule of the road, so as to proximately contribute to the accident. Watts v. Roberts, 282 F.2d 565 (10th Cir. 1960).
Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 7A Am. Jur. 2d Automobiles and Highway Traffic §§ 262, 859.
Rights and liabilities as between drivers of motor vehicles proceeding in same direction, where one or both attempt to pass on left of another vehicle so proceeding, 27 A.L.R.2d 317.
Reciprocal rights, duties and liabilities where driver of motor vehicle attempts to pass on right of other motor vehicle proceeding in same direction, 38 A.L.R.2d 114.
Proximate cause as question for jury where motor vehicle driver, passing on left of other vehicle proceeding in same direction, cuts back to the right, 48 A.L.R.2d 232.
Duty and liability of overtaken driver with respect to adjusting speed to that of passing vehicle, 91 A.L.R.2d 1260.
Duty and liability with respect to giving audible signal when driver's view ahead is obstructed at curve or hill, 16 A.L.R.3d 897.
Duty and liability with respect to giving audible signal before passing, 22 A.L.R.3d 325.
60A C.J.S. Motor Vehicles §§ 324 to 326; 61A C.J.S. Motor Vehicles § 686.
Structure New Mexico Statutes
Article 7 - Traffic Laws; Signs, Signals and Markings; Accidents; Weight and Size; Traffic Safety
Part 4 - TRAFFIC LAWS GENERALLY
Section 66-7-301 - Speed regulation.
Section 66-7-302.1 - Speed limit; conviction; use limited.
Section 66-7-303 - Establishment of speed zones.
Section 66-7-303.1 - Construction zones; traffic control devices; penalty.
Section 66-7-304 - County roads; authority to regulate speed limits.
Section 66-7-305 - Minimum speed regulation.
Section 66-7-306 - Special speed limitations.
Section 66-7-307 - Charging violations; rule in civil actions.
Section 66-7-308 - Drive on right side of roadway; exceptions.
Section 66-7-309 - Passing vehicles proceeding in opposite direction [directions].
Section 66-7-310 - Overtaking a vehicle on the left.
Section 66-7-311 - When overtaking on the right is permitted.
Section 66-7-312 - Limitations on overtaking on the left.
Section 66-7-313 - Further limitations on driving to left of center of roadway.
Section 66-7-314 - Movement of hazardous vehicle; escort may be required.
Section 66-7-315 - No-passing zones.
Section 66-7-316 - One-way roadways and rotary traffic islands.
Section 66-7-317 - Driving on roadways laned for traffic.
Section 66-7-318 - Following too closely.
Section 66-7-318 - Following too closely. (Effective July 1, 2022.)
Section 66-7-319 - Driving on divided highways.
Section 66-7-320 - Restricted access.
Section 66-7-321 - Restrictions on use of controlled-access roadway.
Section 66-7-322 - Required position and method of turning at intersections.
Section 66-7-323 - Turning on curve or crest or [of] grade prohibited.
Section 66-7-324 - Starting parked vehicle.
Section 66-7-325 - Turning movements and required signals.
Section 66-7-326 - Signals by hand and arm or signal device.
Section 66-7-327 - Method of giving hand and arm signals.
Section 66-7-328 - Vehicle approaching or entering intersection.
Section 66-7-329 - Vehicles turning left at intersection.
Section 66-7-330 - Vehicles entering stop or yield intersection.
Section 66-7-331 - Vehicle entering highway from private road or driveway.
Section 66-7-332.1 - Approach of oncoming vehicle; yield right of way.
Section 66-7-333 - Pedestrians subject to traffic regulations.
Section 66-7-334 - Pedestrians' right of way in crosswalks.
Section 66-7-335 - Crossing at other than crosswalks.
Section 66-7-336 - School crossings.
Section 66-7-337 - Drivers to exercise due care.
Section 66-7-338 - Pedestrians to use right half of crosswalk.
Section 66-7-339 - Pedestrians on roadways.
Section 66-7-340 - Pedestrians soliciting rides or business.
Section 66-7-341 - Railroad-highway grade crossing violations; all drivers.
Section 66-7-342 - All vehicles must stop at certain railroad grade crossings.
Section 66-7-344 - Moving heavy equipment at railroad grade crossings.
Section 66-7-345 - Authority to designate through highways and stop and yield intersections.
Section 66-7-346 - Stop before emerging from alley or private driveway.
Section 66-7-347 - Overtaking and passing school bus.
Section 66-7-348 - Special lighting equipment on school buses.
Section 66-7-349 - Stopping, standing or parking outside of business or residence districts.
Section 66-7-350 - Officers authorized to remove illegally stopped vehicles.
Section 66-7-351 - Stopping, standing or parking prohibited in specified places.
Section 66-7-352 - Additional parking regulations.
Section 66-7-352.1 - Short title.
Section 66-7-352.2 - Legislative intent.
Section 66-7-352.3 - Repealed.
Section 66-7-352.4 - Parking lots; standards.
Section 66-7-352.5 - Unauthorized use; penalties.
Section 66-7-352.6 - Enforcement.
Section 66-7-353 - Unattended motor vehicle.
Section 66-7-354 - Limitation on backing.
Section 66-7-355 - Riding on motorcycles.
Section 66-7-356 - Mandatory use of protective helmets.
Section 66-7-357 - Obstruction to driver's view or driving mechanism.
Section 66-7-358 - Restriction on use of video screens in motor vehicles.
Section 66-7-359 - Driving on mountain highways.
Section 66-7-360 - Coasting prohibited.
Section 66-7-361 - Following fire apparatus and driving through safety zone prohibited.
Section 66-7-362 - Crossing fire hose.
Section 66-7-363 - Animals on highway; highway fencing.
Section 66-7-364 - Putting injurious material or trash on highway prohibited.
Section 66-7-365 - Recompiled.
Section 66-7-366 - Occupied moving house trailer.
Section 66-7-367 - Improper opening of doors.
Section 66-7-368 - Purpose [of child restraint device provisions].
Section 66-7-369 - Child passenger restraint; enforcement.
Section 66-7-370 - Short title.
Section 66-7-372 - Safety belt use required; exception.
Section 66-7-373 - Enforcement programs.