N.M. Stat. § 66-7-104
Obedience to any required traffic-control devices.
A. The driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any official traffic-control
device applicable thereto placed in accordance with the provisions of Article 7 of
Chapter 66 NMSA 1978, unless otherwise directed by a traffic or police officer, subject
to the exceptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle in Article 7 of
Chapter 66 NMSA 1978.
B. No provision of Article 7 of Chapter 66 NMSA 1978 for which signs are required
shall be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place of the alleged
violation an official sign is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an
ordinarily observant person. Whenever a particular section does not state that signs are
required, such section shall be effective even though no signs are erected or in place.