Road Warrior: The survey says NM is 3rd worst state in driving behavior

Happy Monday.

Let’s start with a couple of reminders.

First, the westbound Montgomery Boulevard to the southbound Interstate 25 loop ramp is closed as part of the three-year Montgomery to Comanche I-25 improvement projects.

According to the New Mexico Department of Transportation, westbound drivers on Montgomery must turn left onto the frontage road to access southbound I-25. To manage the anticipated increase in traffic turning left, crews will add an additional left turn lane to keep traffic moving.

Second, the city announced its moratoriums on some road construction projects during the New Mexico State Fair, upcoming Balloon Fiesta and holiday season from Nov. 25 to New Year’s Day.

For the State Fair, these are streets bounded by, and include: Menaul to the north, Pennsylvania on the east, Southern on the south, San Mateo on the west, as well as key arterial and collector routes commonly used by attendees.

U-TURNS: Larry Larrachio said driving at the Coors and Montano intersection is dangerous.

“The drivers doing U-turns at this intersection are numerous and sometimes quite reckless,” he said. “I drive through it daily and have had numerous close calls.”

NMDOT spokesperson Kim Gallegos said she has not received complaints about the intersection, but added a crew could make sure a sign is put there.

“I don’t know if a sign will be effective, but it might cut down on some of the accidents,” Larrachio said.

AVENIDA CESAR CHAVEZ EXIT RAMPS: Christina Pedroncelli wanted to know if there are plans to rehabilitate the Avenida Cesar Chavez Interstate 25 exit ramps. She said they are among “the ugliest and most undertaken care of exits in all the city in terms of landscape and modernization.”

“I’ve seen other exits done and redone over the years while this one remains neglected,” Pedroncelli wrote in an email. “This exit is the gateway used by locals and visitors going to sporting events, the National Hispanic Cultural Center and South Valley as well as many college students so I would think the city/state would want it to look better!!”

There are no plans to work on those ramps, Gallegos said, but that area — including the frontage road — will be reconstructed as part of the Gibson Interchange project that is expected to start after the Montgomery and Comanche improvements are completed.

DRIVER BEHAVIOR: According to a recent Forbes Advisory survey, New Mexico is the third worst state in driving behavior, behind Hawaii and Oregon.

The survey polled 5,000 U.S. drivers to reveal their worst driving behaviors. Of the 5,000, 100 were from New Mexico, Forbes Advisor spokesperson Olivia Wigg said.

Included in the 100 are 34 New Mexican drivers who reported they ate while driving while 22 drivers said they went 10-19 mph over the speed limit.

This is a tiny sample size. What are some things drivers are guilty of the most?

DAY IN HISTORY: Fifty-eight years ago on Monday, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Highway Safety Act, which provided new support for federal-state safety programs, and the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.