6 Tips to Remain Safe on New Mexico Roads in Your RV This Memorial Day Weekend

Is New Mexico RV Friendly?

Recreational Vehicles (RVs) are a great way to experience the beautiful roads of New Mexico with the money-saving travel of driving your lodging with you. With over 500 RV parks and campgrounds and nearly 3,000 miles of highway throughout the state, New Mexico is a great place for RV drivers explore the American Southwest. Before you head out to gorgeous New Mexico locations, check out these tips for RV safety this Memorial Day Weekend, starting with the 3-3-3 rule of RVing.

In The Article

What is the 3-3-3 Rule for RVing

Driving an RV or camper can be physically and mentally draining. It’s a large vehicle that requires all eyes on the road and understanding your surroundings constantly. To ensure you’re safe, the 3-3-3 rule can help you maintain focus while driving

But, what is the 3-3-3 Rule for RVing? RV enthusiasts know the 3-3-3 rule as a strategy for keeping your trip fun and safe. It states that you should drive no more than 300 miles per day, not drive past 3 PM, and camp at your destination for at least three days

Driving fewer than 300 miles per day is a great way to ensure you aren’t spreading out your destinations to the point where you will have to burn the midnight oil while driving. It allows you to take more and longer breaks, and it gives you the opportunity to enjoy the places you’re driving through and to

Arriving at your destination before 3 PM gives you the peace of mind that you won’t have to drive during nighttime hours to avoid risk of driving when visibility is down

Staying at your destination for at least three days provides you with the rest and break from driving that you’ll need when driving large vehicles

Staying awake and aware is the best foundation for safe driving, especially in large vehicles like RVs and campers

Know the Size of Your RV

Having an awareness of the size of your RV is another great way to maintain safety standards for your trip. If you know the length, width, and height of your RV, you’ll have a better understanding of your clearance for bridges and overpasses, and you’ll be able to back up or ship out better

Have a Good Navigator

If you’re not travelling alone, prepare your navigator by giving them the goals for the day’s drive. How far are you driving? What routes are you planning to take? Are there stops along the way for food or fun

Your navigator can be equipped with a paper map to see potential highway changes and junctions you may see, plus they will be able to see exits and attractions along the way

In addition to a paper map, an RV GPS app can help you get to where you’re going without having to maneuver roads that weren’t meant for RVs

Finally, the navigator can help you maintain your focus on the roads by helping you get drinks, snacks, and radio selections without you having to take your eyes off the road, and they can be an additional set of eyes to keep you aware of potential dangers coming up

Utilize Runaway Ramps in New Mexico’s Mountain Areas

New Mexico’s vast terrain means a lot of different types of driving and road safety features that you can research before you take your trip. If you’re driving in New Mexico’s Mountain region, understanding and utilizing runaway ramps in cases of emergency is imperative

If you’re on a steep grade and your brakes go out, remain calm. Call 9-1-1, if you’re concerned about potential hazards that could arise should you utilize the runaway ramp

Pay attention to where the runaway ramps are on the roads (many New Mexico runaway ramps are clearly marked). As you approach the runaway ramp, keep the RV stead and inline with the ramp as much as possible. Do NOT jerk the wheel or attempt to turn quickly

Runaway ramps are designed to slow vehicles slowly using gravel, sand, and gravity (they are generally at an upward angle that can slow your RV down quickly

Once your vehicle is stopped, put it in park, apply the parking brake, and assess whether or not you need to be towed

Drive at Safe Speeds, and Keep Your Distance

Sometimes, driving under the speed limit is safer for RV drivers than driving the speed limit. When abideingby the 3-3-3 rule, you should plan your trip accordingly to ensure that you don’t have to rush to get where you’re going

Because RVs are such large vehicles, they tend to take longer to stop, so driving slower may be necessary, especially in mountainous terrain or winding roads

Eyes on the Road and Awareness for What’s Around You

While it may seem like common sense to keep your eyes on the road while you’re driving, not everyone exercises this skill. Driving an RV requires having spatial awareness while watching the road. You should check your mirrors consistently to know where other vehicles are. Your RV will have blind spots, so knowing when a car is approaching or potentially passing can give you an understanding of what could be in your blind spots, should you need to change lanes for any reason

RV Safety for Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend is the type of weekend that draw a lot of attention from travelers and tourists. That means there will be more traffic on the highways in New Mexico. Remember to stay safe and aware on the roads, especially in the Mountain region of New Mexico, and enjoy the ride