Is driving in Mexico dangerous?

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bassmeister-D

You remember taking driver's ed. and they would ask questions like. If another car is passing you do you a) slow down, b) speed up c) maintain the same speed? Well in Mexico many, if not most, drivers seem to have thought that the ridiculously wrong answers were the right ones. Drivers are required to have a license in Mexico, but they don't necessarily have to pass an exam. Many times having the money to pay the license fee is all ot takes.

Yes! it is very dangerous driving in Mexico. In many places road maintenance is only done right before election time, every three to six years. We are at the height of rainy season now. Rainy season has the same effect on Mexican roads that winter has on roads in the northeastern USA. In Mexico they LOVE to put speed bumps in the least expected places. You will see them any and everywhere. These speed bumps can be as much as 18 inches high!

Here is a list of the usual dangers I encounter every day driving across town:

1) poor roads-potholes, incorrect banking, standing or running water because of insufficient or nonexistaent drainage, debrÃs on the road

2) speedbumps

3) people drive the wrong way

4) left turns from the far right lane

5) right turns from the far left lane

6) vehicles stopped in the middle of the road

7) vehicles with no lights at night

8) people running stopsigns and redlights

9) drivers turning left when they have a red light

10) drivers stopping in the middle of the intersection waiting for the crossing traffic to pass so they can turn left on red

11) watch out for jaywalkers, pedestrians cross anywhere and anytime without regard for their own saftey or that of others. I cannot count how many times I have been driving at moderate to high speed and been the only car on the road and suddenly from out of nowhere someone runs right out in front of my car.

12) bizarre things like hotdog carts being pushed down major thoroughfares, often against the flow of traffic

13) animals wandering around on the road

14) other drivers pass you and then suddenly cut in front of you

15) you use a turn signal to indicate you are changing lanes and the nearest person in the lane you want to change to will probably speed up to try and prevent you changing lanes

16) if you manage to change lanes the driver behind you, even if he is a quarter mile back will probably try to blind you with his highbeams because you were rude enough to get in front of him. This happens when you pass someone who was driving below the speed limit

17) no one observes the speed limit

18) tailgating

19) turn signals, stoplights, and reverse lights might not work on the car in front of you

20) people don't use turn signals, at least the way you learned. Some vehicles drive down the road with the left turn signal on; it might mean they are going slow and are telling you to pass on the left, it might mean they arte going to change lanes, or turn, but probably not because if its to change lanes or turn they know that they would personally try to cut off anyone who made such a movement of safety. The turn signal might just mean that the turn signal is on.

21) before turning right or left many drivers swerve in the opposite direction before executing the turn

22) you have a good ( nothing good about this) chance of being rear ended or sideswiped

23) truckdrivers and busdrivers will try to run you off the road.

24) in Mexico City in some places there is a trolley bus that runs against the flow of traffic, watch out for that one

25) Mexican civil engineers love to place roundabouts or circle intersections in high traffic areas.

Don't be surprised when someone commits a blatant and flagrant traffic violation that almost causes you to have an accident and then the violator insults you.

On the positive side Mexico City just recently put an updated traffic code into effect so hopefully while you are driving there it will be better than it used to be.

Also, Mexican drivers are not as scary as the drivers in China.

tomnmexico

I lived in Mexico for over eight years and never had any problems driving. I drove thousands of miles and never had to pay the 'federales'. Intercity buses in Mexico are very comfortable and I would suggest that you consider them as an alternative to driving. If you do decide to rent a car, I recommend that you leave your rental car at the hotel and use local transportation as it is quite reasonalbe. The traffic in the center of San Miguel is horrendous. The drivers in Mexico city are very agressive, there is unbelievable traffice even very early in the morning and late at night and it is very difficult to find your way and to find a place to park. If you decide to drive in Guanajauto city you will end up lost in the tunnels. I lived there for six months and always avoided the tunnels. Traffic in Guanajuato can be unbelievably slow due to narrow one way roads, the tunnels and the countless funeral processions.
You have chosen some great places to visit but a car is not necessary. Whatever you decide, have a great time.

weechi

you know, as someone else suggested....the bus is an excellent alternative. i love it, it's easy, cheap, ETN is very comfy..dunno, something to consider. you assume all the risk with renting, and in mexico it's guilty until proven innocent if you get in a serious accident.

that said, i drove in mexico and never had problems, never paid a police officer, never had one treat me badly, never had any problems! but i stick to toll roads. actually, leon and san miguel are very safe to drive to...as long as you are coming from those directions, mexico city is safe to drive to on the toll roads...but honestly anywhere near mexico city, especially queretaro...you do not want to stop or pull over or have any problems. you could very easily be robbed and left in the heat or worse. stay on the toll roads.

driving is more agressive and you don't want to ever assume another driver will stop for you, but overall it's fine.

Decoy Duck

When we were there, the only thing we were told was to watch out for animals in the road. Figured they meant armadillos, rabbits, etc. NOPE! They meant gigantic cows with gigantic horns and also wild horses!!

orcastrated

yes they drive crazy down there!!!!!! mexico city is really bad. they dont really follow and rules of the road. you need to be a very aggressive driver down there, or your not ever gonna move!!

Sans

Don't drive at night because of the livestock (free range grazing) and potholes, slow down for the topes, take the toll road if you have an option, get your Mexican car insurance from Sanborn's and use the free trip guide they give you, follow the local laws and be respectful, enjoy the scenary and have a blast!

jaculco

Gotta be an aggressive driver.

Luxord

Anything involving a road in Mexico can be dangerious as the other drivers seem to drive faster then average. Just be careful and mind how fast the others around you are driving and you should be ok.

leo_leora

They do drive somewhat aggressively down in Mexico. Also, beware that the speedbumps in Mexico are really curb shaped and the same colour as the blacktop. So, just drive defensively and watch for everything.

lpaganus

About the same as Paris or Rome. When you make a move, don't stop, people follow closely behind.

nanizm

The cops usually notice you are tourist and will pull you over for anything. They will tell you that you committed some kind of traffic violation and advise you that they need to tow your car and you need to see a judge. This is where they will ask money from you to avoid the inconvenience.

The roads can be in very bad condition so make sure your car is well taken care of.

The signs are sometimes hard to read or misplaced so pay attention.

Big Carrot

If you have ever driven in NYC, its pretty similar, rules are bent everywhere. Watch out for speed bumps, they are everywhere. & Be very careful, drinking and driving is legal

spicy n

some areas and especially if u r a gringo.so go in pairs.

gaorme

It is not that bad, you just have to put more attention and dont be sure of what the other is going to do be ready for any movement , but this is just precaution.

Leon guanajuato is way calmer than mexico city

holy crap, its the cupcake!!!!

dont ask about it, its damn dangerous.

RicMon87

It might be. People could rob you if you stop at some places, you can make a wrong turn somewhere and end up going down a steep 100 foot hill and then dead. Hey, things like that happen. you just have to be very careful and knowledgeable.

Danny42378

Don't stop.

Kristi A

NO TOO BAD, BUT YEAH MAKE SURE U TAKE SOME EXTRA CASH TO PAY THEM FEDERALES

smartypants909

Carry lots of cash to pay the federales.

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