Breakdowns, crashes and first aid

Key points

1. If your vehicle has trouble, get it off the road and away from traffic if at all possible, and turn on your flashers.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “Get your vehicle off the road and away from traffic if at all possible Turn on your emergency flashers to show you are having trouble”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 19

2. Never stand in the roadway, and do not change a tire if it puts you in a traffic lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “Never stand in the roadway. Do not try to change a tire if it means you have to be in a traffic lane.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 19

3. After a crash, if your vehicle can move, get it off the road so it does not block traffic or cause another crash.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “If your vehicle can move, get it off the road so that it does not block traffic or cause another crash.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34

4. Turn off the ignition of wrecked vehicles and do not smoke nearby, because fuel may have spilled.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Turn off the ignition of wrecked vehicles. Do not smoke around wrecked vehicles. Fuel could have spilled and fire is a real danger.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34

5. Do not move the injured unless they are in a burning vehicle or in other immediate danger.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Do not move the injured unless they are in a burning vehicle or in other immediate danger of being hit by another vehicle.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34

6. Do not give injured people anything to drink, not even water.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Do not give injured persons anything to drink, not even water.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34

7. If you hit a parked vehicle and cannot find the owner, leave a note with how to reach you and the date and time.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “If you cannot, leave a note in a place where it can be seen with information on how the owner can reach you and the date and time of the accident.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 34

3 questions from the New Mexico practice test

1. 1. If a vehicle breaks down on a highway, what should the driver do when it is possible?

   1. Get the vehicle off the road and away from traffic
   2. Leave it in the travel lane with the engine off
   3. Stand behind it and wave at approaching vehicles
   4. Stop just beyond a hill so it is out of sight
   Show answer

   Get the vehicle off the road and away from traffic. For a highway breakdown, the manual's first protective measure is to get the vehicle off the road and away from traffic whenever possible. Leaving it in a lane exposes the disabled vehicle to a rear-end crash, while standing in the roadway creates danger for the driver. Stopping just beyond a hill hides the problem from approaching traffic. If the vehicle cannot be moved, use emergency flashers and choose a visible location, then warn other road users without entering the travel lane.

2. 2. After a crash, what should the driver do if the vehicle can still be moved?

   1. Drive away before exchanging information
   2. Leave it in the travel lane until every report is finished
   3. Move it off the road so it does not block traffic
   4. Park it in front of an emergency access route
   Show answer

   Move it off the road so it does not block traffic. A driver involved in a crash must stop, but stopping does not mean creating another hazard. If the vehicle can move, the manual directs the driver to get it off the road so it will not block traffic or cause another collision. Leaving it in a travel lane can expose everyone at the scene to passing vehicles. Driving away is unlawful and prevents information exchange. Once clear of moving traffic, keep people out of travel lanes, shut off damaged vehicles, and use warning devices so approaching drivers see the scene.

3. 3. When may an injured person be moved after a crash?

   1. Whenever the person cannot answer questions
   2. Only when the person is in a burning vehicle or in immediate danger of being hit
   3. Before emergency help is called
   4. Whenever moving the person seems more convenient
   Show answer

   Only when the person is in a burning vehicle or in immediate danger of being hit. After a crash, do not move an injured person unless the person is in a burning vehicle or faces another immediate danger of being hit. Unnecessary movement can worsen injuries, even when the person cannot answer questions. Call police and emergency medical or rescue services, then provide appropriate aid while protecting the person from further danger. The narrow exception is tied to an urgent threat, not convenience or uncertainty about the person's condition.

Source: the New Mexico Driver Manual, Emergencies. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.