NMDOT Urges Lawmakers to Back Work Zone Speed Cameras
New Mexico transportation officials want construction-zone speed cameras considered in the next legislative session after repeated speeding incidents.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Trucks
Live Poll
Should New Mexico allow speed cameras to catch drivers in construction zones?
The New Mexico Department of Transportation urged state lawmakers to support speed cameras in construction zones during a transportation infrastructure revenue subcommittee meeting. The agency proposed allowing the cameras for consideration in the next legislative session.
Why it matters
Drivers who ignore reduced construction zone speed limits create dangerous conditions for road workers in New Mexico. The proposal reflects concern that enforcement alone has not kept speeds in check in work areas.
State Police cited more than 200 drivers for speeding on I-25 through La Bajada in 2023. The source does not report citation totals for other years or for other work zones.
The players
New Mexico Department of Transportation
The state agency responsible for planning, building and maintaining New Mexico's roads, which proposed construction zone speed cameras.
Rep. Raymundo Lara
A New Mexico state representative who raised privacy concerns about camera technology such as Flock cameras.
The details
NMDOT presented the proposal during a transportation infrastructure revenue subcommittee meeting. The 2025 legislative session saw a construction zone speed camera bill introduced, but it received little traction. Rep. Raymundo Lara raised privacy concerns about camera technology such as Flock cameras, and NMDOT said it will gather more information before bringing its proposal back to the legislature.
Timeline
2023: State Police cited more than 200 drivers for speeding on I-25 through La Bajada.
2025 session: A construction zone speed camera bill was introduced and received little traction.
November 11, 2026: NMDOT urged lawmakers to support speed cameras at the subcommittee meeting.
Next legislative session: NMDOT requests consideration of construction zone speed cameras.
Roadmap
The NMDOT proposal revives the construction zone speed camera approach from New Mexico's 2025 bill, which received little traction in that session. It positions the agency to seek a renewed legislative push after citation data and work zone crashes drew attention to speeding in those areas.
Drivers traveling through New Mexico construction zones could face automated speed enforcement if lawmakers approve the proposal. Motorists should expect reduced limits in work areas to be watched more closely in future sessions.
The takeaway
Slowing down in work zones protects the crews who build and repair New Mexico's roads. Drivers can reduce risk by obeying posted limits even when no officer is visible.
What happens next
NMDOT will gather more information about speed cameras before bringing its proposal to the legislature in the next session.
Further reading
For related coverage of roads and vehicles in the region, see Trucks.
Live Poll
Should New Mexico allow speed cameras to catch drivers in construction zones?
