Roadwise States New Mexico Driving lessons Health, emotions & cell phones New Mexico driving lesson · Fit to Drive
Health, emotions & cell phones A 3-minute lesson from the New Mexico course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Fit to Drive
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 33 Even minor health problems, like a bad cold, a stiff neck, a cough or a sore leg, can affect your driving. If you're not feeling well, let someone else drive. Strong emotions and phone calls pull your attention off the road too.
Know the rule
In New Mexico, drivers with epilepsy, diabetes, adverse heart conditions and other medical problems must send the MVD periodic medical statements signed by their physician.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ 6 months Stable and seizure-free period required for people with epilepsy before a license is issued
Handbook p. 33 ↗ Know the rule
People with epilepsy should also have frequent check-ups and carefully manage medicine.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ Know the rule
Diabetics who take insulin shouldn't drive if there's any chance of an insulin reaction, blackout, convulsion or shock (from a skipped meal or snack, or the wrong insulin dose).
Handbook p. 33 ↗ Know the rule
Consider having someone else drive while your doctor adjusts your insulin, and have your eyes checked regularly for night blindness or other vision problems.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ Know the rule
People with heart disease, high blood pressure or circulation problems, or at risk of blackout, fainting or heart attack, should not drive. Ask your doctor whether your condition affects driving.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ Emotions and driving: You may not drive well if overly worried, excited, afraid, angry or depressed Angry or excited: give yourself time to cool off, even take a short walk; stay off the road until calm Worried or down: keep your mind on driving; some find the radio helps Handbook p. 33 ↗ Know the rule
Dialing or even just talking on a cell phone can be a dangerous distraction. Pull over to place or take a call whenever possible.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ Know the rule
Some towns make it illegal to use a cell phone while driving unless you use a hands-free device.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ Put it into practice
You just had a heated argument and are shaking with anger. Don't grab the keys yet. Take a short walk and stay off the road until you've calmed down.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
How long must someone with epilepsy be seizure-free before being issued a license? 2 years total 1 year 6 months 1 month Answer: 6 months
People with epilepsy should be stable and seizure free for a 6-month period before being issued a driver's license.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ When might a diabetic driver who takes insulin need someone else to drive for them? Never, insulin has no effect on driving When an insulin reaction is possible Only when driving at night Only after eating a large meal Answer: When an insulin reaction is possible
Diabetics who take insulin should not drive when there's a chance of an insulin reaction, blackout, or shock.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ What should you do if you're feeling angry or excited before driving? Turn off the radio and drive immediately Give yourself time to cool off before driving Ignore the feeling, since it won't affect your driving Drive to a quiet road to calm down Answer: Give yourself time to cool off before driving
If you're angry or excited, give yourself time to cool off before you drive.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ What should you do to use a cell phone safely while driving? Only text while stopped at a red light Pull over to the side of the road whenever possible Hold the phone with one hand and drive with the other Use it only on residential streets Answer: Pull over to the side of the road whenever possible
Pull over to the side of the road to place or take a call whenever possible.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ Even hands-free, why is talking on a cell phone still risky while driving? It's still a dangerous distraction It's illegal statewide, even hands-free It lowers your vehicle's top speed It's only risky above highway speeds Answer: It's still a dangerous distraction
Dialing or even just talking on a cell phone can be a dangerous distraction from safe driving.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ People with epilepsy must be seizure-free for six months before being issued a driver's license. True False Answer: True
People with epilepsy should be stable and seizure free for a 6-month period before licensing.
Handbook p. 33 ↗ Previous lesson Other drugs & driving Next lesson Handling vehicle emergencies About the source Roadwise’s New Mexico course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 33. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check New Mexico’s MVD. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.