NM DMV Road Safety and Defensive Driving 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the leading cause of teen driving fatalities in New Mexico?
- Texting while driving
- Speeding and not wearing seat belts (Correct answer)
- Driving at night
- Weather-related crashes
Correct answer: Speeding and not wearing seat belts
Speed and failure to use seat belts are the leading contributing factors to teen driving deaths in New Mexico.
Question 2: In New Mexico, what is the seat belt law for adults?
- Seat belts are recommended but not required
- All front seat occupants must wear a seat belt — rear seat is optional for adults
- All occupants in all seats must wear seat belts (Correct answer)
- Only the driver is required to wear a seat belt
Correct answer: All occupants in all seats must wear seat belts
New Mexico's seat belt law requires all vehicle occupants in all seating positions to wear a seat belt or appropriate restraint.
Question 3: What should a driver do if their vehicle begins to hydroplane in New Mexico?
- Brake firmly to stop the hydroplaning
- Steer sharply to regain traction
- Ease off the accelerator and steer gently straight ahead (Correct answer)
- Accelerate to power through the water
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator and steer gently straight ahead
When hydroplaning, gently ease off the gas and steer straight; sudden braking or sharp steering can cause loss of control.
Question 4: Under New Mexico's distracted driving law, what is prohibited for all drivers?
- Eating while driving
- Using a handheld cell phone to call or text while driving (Correct answer)
- Adjusting the radio
- Talking to passengers
Correct answer: Using a handheld cell phone to call or text while driving
New Mexico law prohibits all drivers from using a handheld mobile device to make calls or send messages while operating a vehicle.
Question 5: What does 'defensive driving' primarily mean in the context of New Mexico DMV education?
- Driving aggressively to prevent others from cutting you off
- Anticipating hazards and adjusting your driving to reduce risk (Correct answer)
- Always driving at the speed limit regardless of conditions
- Following the vehicle ahead closely to prevent merges
Correct answer: Anticipating hazards and adjusting your driving to reduce risk
Defensive driving means proactively scanning for hazards, anticipating the actions of others, and adjusting your driving behavior to reduce the risk of a crash.
Question 6: What is the safest action to take if you feel drowsy while driving in New Mexico?
- Open the window and turn up the radio
- Drink coffee and continue driving
- Pull off the road safely and rest (Correct answer)
- Splash water on your face at the next stop sign
Correct answer: Pull off the road safely and rest
The only effective response to drowsy driving is to pull off the road in a safe location and sleep; stimulants and other tactics only mask the problem temporarily.
NM DMV Road Safety and Defensive Driving 1
What is the leading cause of teen driving fatalities in New Mexico?