EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) is providing tips for drivers to stay safe during the monsoon months.
Monsoon months are June, July, Aug. and Sept. and according to NMDOT, New Mexico experiences more rain and severe weather in those months, making driving difficult.
Traffic updates will be posted on the NMDOT traffic advisory website here, when they are reported and can be retrieved by calling 511 in state or at 1-800-432-4269.
Here are tips NMDOT is giving to travelers in New Mexico during monsoon activity:
Go slow and always wear your seatbelt
Road conditions may make traveling the posted speed limit unsafe. If it is a highly rainy day, water may pool on the roads, which could cause hydroplaning if you travel too fast.
Hydroplaning is when your tires drive over wet roads and lose contact with the surface, resulting in losing traction and possibly not being able to steer your car.
Keep your distance
Leave plenty of room between your vehicle and other vehicles during inclement weather.
Turn around, don’t drown
Never enter any area that has been barricaded due to flooding. It is very dangerous and costly if you get stuck and need rescuing.
Don’t try to drive on a road that is covered in water. Turn around and find an alternate route.
Headlights on for safety
Make sure others can see you on the road and that you can see the road by turning on your headlights.
Pull aside, stay alive
If you find yourself in heavy winds, rain or a dust storm, make sure you keep a strong grip on your vehicle to avoid swerving. If you feel you need to wait out the storm, pull aside as far off the roadway or shoulder area as possible. Turn off your lights and your engine and keep your foot off the brake pedal. If other drivers see your brake lights, they may assume you are on the roadway.
Don’t use cruise control
Never use cruise control when the roads are slippery. Using your cruise control can reduce your control of the vehicle if your tires begin to skid or slip.
Stay alert
Storm runoff can loosen boulders and rocks. Be alert and look out for falling rocks.
Follow outage guidelines
If traffic lights are out, treat the intersection like a four-way stop.
Be patient and courteous
Highway safety is everyone’s responsibility. Do your part to keep yourself and fellow drivers safe on the road.
For updated information, you can visit NMDOT here or call 511.
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