Large Trucks Banned From Roads in Loving, New Mexico

Alyson Hurt/Flickr

Oil and gas companies have created little pushback since Loving, New Mexico, passed an ordinance in 2016 barring large trucks from using their town as a bypass to the highway.

The Loving Village Council received “numerous” complaints of the vehicles taking shortcuts through Loving to get to the oil fields north of the village.

Loving Mayor Pete Estrada said the trucks were damaging roads, cracking sidewalks and disobeying traffic signs.

He said village officials have received calls from companies regarding the ordinance, but most have been compliant and understanding.

The ordinance passed last fall defines large trucks as any vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds.

“There were oil field trucks tearing up the roads, but the roads were not in good shape to begin with,” Estrada said. “We’re trying to make them take alternative routes.”

Estrada said an estimated 100 trucks per day were cutting through the village, possibly attempting to avoid traffic.

“They were making sharp turns, breaking sidewalks. Really, there was too much traffic,” Estrada said. “It was dangerous for our kids.”

He said that village officials hope that trucks will take Carter Road or state Road 31 and U.S. Route 285 to get to their destination, rather than entering Loving through Fourth Street.

Any drivers who violate the ordinance can be convicted of a misdemeanor and fined up to $300, according to the ordinance.

“They just need to get on the main highway,” Estrada said. “We just have to take care of our stuff inside the village. We were really getting a lot of complaints from residents.”

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