A Guide to Colored Borders in New Mexico
Drivers in New Mexico have a number of parking rules and laws they need to be aware of so that they don't accidentally park in the wrong place. If you park in an area where you are not allowed, you could face fines and even have your vehicle towed. One of the first things you need to learn is what the different colors on the borders mean.
sidewalk markings
When you see a white curb, it means that you can park there for a short time and let the passengers into your car. Red markings usually indicate a fire lane and you can't park there at all. Yellow most likely means you are also not allowed to park in that area. This often indicates that this is a loading area, but there may be other restrictions. The color blue indicates that this place is for people with disabilities and if you park in these places without the correct signage or signs, you may be subject to a fine.
Other parking rules to keep in mind
There are a number of other rules you need to keep in mind when it comes to parking in New Mexico. You are not allowed to park at an intersection, on a sidewalk or crosswalk, or on a construction site if your vehicle is blocking traffic. You must not park within 30 feet of a traffic light, stop sign, or give way sign. You may not park within 25 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, and you may not park within 50 feet of a fire hydrant. This is a much greater distance than in many other states.
When you park next to a curb, your car must be within 18 inches of it or you could get a ticket. You cannot park within 50 feet of a railroad crossing. If you are parking on a street with a fire station, you must be at least 20 feet from the entrance when parking on the same side. If you are parking on the opposite side of the street, you will need to park at least 75 meters from the entrance.
You must not park between or within 30 feet of the edge of a security zone unless permitted by local laws. Keep in mind that local laws take precedence over state laws, so make sure you know and understand the laws of the city where you live.
Never park on a bridge, overpass, tunnel or underpass. Never park on the wrong side of the street or on the side of an already parked car. This is called double parking and it can cause a number of problems. This will not only slow down the movement, but can also become dangerous.
Watch for signs and other markings. This can help make sure you don't park in an illegal area without realizing it.
