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U.S. Highway 285 in New Mexico is a safety concern due to a steady stream of traffic, particularly thousands of trucks hauling oil, natural gas, sand, and water. This heavy commercial vehicle traffic, coupled with driver fatigue, inexperienced drivers, and poor road conditions like sinkholes and a lack of shoulders, contributes to a high number of accidents and fatalities. The highway has even earned the name “Death Highway” because of these issues.
U.S. 285 in New Mexico: Why Is Highway 285 a Safety Concern?
Route 285 in New Mexico long been a busy thoroughfare due to thousands of trucks hauling oil, natural gas, sand and water. The revenue from these natural resources keep a steady stream of traffic consistently clogging the highway and causing accidents. Highway 285 is so busy that it has earned the name “Death Highway’ due to the high number of accidents resulting in fatalities.
Crashes and Fatalities on Highway 285 in New Mexico
US 285 has experienced a significant number of crashes in southeastern New Mexico. According to the 2023 Eddy County Comprehensive Plan, which cites crash data compiled by the New Mexico Department of Transportation and the University of New Mexico, 764 crashes occurred on US 285 in Eddy County between 2015 and 2021.
The plan identifies US 285 as one of the three highways in Eddy County with the highest number of crashes and notes that the greatest number of crashes during that period occurred in 2018. The section of US 285 between Loving and the Texas border has also been designated a Safety Corridor.
NMDOT’s more recent US 285 Port of Entry study provides useful current context. In 2023, NMDOT said the study was prompted by a “significant increase in heavy commercial vehicle traffic” throughout the US 285 corridor. The proposed facility was intended to help ensure commercial vehicles entering New Mexico were safe and legal and to regulate vehicle weight.
Heavy Truck Traffic and Driver Fatigue on US 285
Southeastern New Mexico remains an important part of the Permian Basin oil and gas industry, generating substantial commercial traffic along US 285. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Lea and Eddy counties accounted for nearly 1 million barrels per day of U.S. crude oil production growth between 2020 and 2024.
The increase in commercial activity has also brought more heavy vehicles to the US 285 corridor. In 2023, the New Mexico Department of Transportation cited a significant increase in heavy commercial vehicle traffic throughout the corridor when studying a proposed Port of Entry and weigh-in-motion facility near the Texas state line. NMDOT said the facility would help improve safety, regulate commercial vehicle weight and ensure commercial drivers are following state law.
Driver fatigue is another potential safety concern for commercial vehicles. Federal hours-of-service rules generally limit property-carrying commercial drivers to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty and prohibit driving beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. Drivers are also subject to 60- or 70-hour limits over seven or eight consecutive days, depending on the applicable schedule.
When commercial traffic is heavy, fatigued driving, excessive speed, inadequate following distance or other unsafe driving behaviors can increase the potential for serious crashes. For motorists sharing US 285 with large commercial vehicles, maintaining a safe following distance and remaining alert to changing traffic conditions can be particularly important.
Inexperienced Commercial Drivers and Crash Risks on Highway 285
Young drivers can easily be seen driving trucks on Highway 285 in what may be their first job as a hauler. Being young and fearless may be playing a factor in the increase of accidents. To combat young drivers making the roads increasingly dangerous, some young drivers are taking a three-week driver’s training program. Once the training is complete, drivers will then take a test to receive their commercial driver’s license.
Large Trucks, Road Conditions and Safety Hazards on US 285
One of the major problems on Highway 285 comes from large over-sized trucks having to share the road with traffic. It is not only hard to handle a fully loaded semi in excessive traffic, but also the condition of the roads may be in dis-repair. Sinkholes that can run several feet wide have been seen on the 285. Adding to the danger, Highway 285 is a two-lane road without much of a shoulder for drivers to use in case of emergency.
Is US 285 a Safety Corridor in New Mexico?
New Mexico officials are currently working to improve the conditions of Highway 285 and make it safer. However, a problem that is this big will take time to find solutions. Until conditions improve, this stretch of road going right through New Mexico may continue to be dangerous.
NMDOT has continued investing in US 285 improvements. For example, in October 2024 it announced a $19.155 million project involving rehabilitation and intersection improvements at NM 31 and US 285 in Eddy County, with construction expected to continue into 2025.
What to Do After a Crash on US 285 in New Mexico?
A crash on US 285 can result in serious injuries, particularly when a passenger vehicle is involved in a collision with a commercial truck. If you are injured in a crash, seek medical attention as soon as possible and report the accident to the appropriate authorities. When it is safe to do so, document the scene, photograph vehicle damage and road conditions, and collect contact information from witnesses and other drivers.
If another driver’s negligence contributed to the crash, an injured person may have the right to pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost income, property damage and other losses. Because crashes involving commercial vehicles can involve additional evidence and potentially multiple parties, it can be helpful to discuss your circumstances with a Albuquerque personal injury lawyer.
Our law firm, Berenson & Associates, PC, can review the circumstances of your accident, explain your legal options and help you understand the steps involved in pursuing a personal injury claim. Contact our firm today.
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