Reckless and Careless Driving
Section 66-8-113 — five to ninety days or $25 to $100 on a first reckless driving conviction
Reckless driving is driving carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others, without due caution, at a speed or in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger any person or property.
Who handles this in New Mexico: Enlace Comunitario; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the New Mexico directory.
| Reckless driving | Jail, a fine, or both |
|---|---|
| Reckless drivingFirst conviction | Jail, a fine, or bothFive to ninety days, or $25 to $100 |
| Reckless drivingSecond or later | Jail, a fine, or bothTen days to six months, or $50 to $1,000 |
On a conviction the director may suspend the license for up to ninety days.
Careless driving is a misdemeanor: driving in a careless, inattentive or imprudent manner without due regard for the width, grade, curves, corners, traffic, weather and road conditions. Every driver gives full time and entire attention to driving.
Sources for this section (2)
- NMSA 1978, § 66-8-113 — Reckless driving
- NMSA 1978, § 66-8-114 — Careless driving
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of November 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New Mexico attorney.