Mexican Drivers?

Question

What's your perception of Mexican drivers? I'm from Toronto and people here drive like idiots. I actually find Mexico a pretty simple place to drive (at least the Yucatan anyway). I asked a question about motorcycle rental and I've got two answers telling me basically not to drive in Mexico. And I've seen similar answers to everyone who asks about car rentals in Mexico.

Do you think that Mexican drivers are really that bad? I'm I just numb to it from the years of driving with selfish, over aggressive "big" city idiots?

OK there's things like topes, not so road worthy cars and the occasional bicycle/mule/dog where your not expecting them but all in all it's not that bad is it?

Answer 1

Mexican drivers are no better or no worse than aggressive drivers around the world. Here in Baja Norte, you will want to avoid Tijuana because tourists don't know where they going and have a tendency to slow down and get in the way. Note: when you make your move don't slow down. Mexico City is worst, kind of like Paris or Rome.

Answer 2

it depends if ur gonna drive on a huge city like mxcity then ur better off on a motorcycle

Answer 3

Where it's worse is 2-lane long distance roads or big cities.  On those 2-laners there will be a bunch of people in a hurry, passing when they shouldn't, going lots faster than you.   Some will pass with oncoming traffic and expect you to move over and be 3 abreast.  Watch in all directions.

I still drive here .... but long distance, as little as possible

Answer 4

i think people say that because an accident in mex. is a criminal offense that could land you in jail.  and the justice system is "guilty until proven innocent."  so...it's a large risk.  on the other hand, most people DO drive....so it's a risk that most are willing to take.

also, people are very emotional with their driving.  a man may not stop at a red light because he's "too macho"....and you just can't predict things like that.  and drunk driving is a very accepted practice.  

the roads are not as kept up, and if there is a warning sign...it's very short notice.  also, roads will open and close with no notice...so if you don't know the way to go, too bad for you!

so....in general it IS more dangerous.  but obviously people drive there all the time, so it's not impossible.  i lived there for over a year, drove the whole time, and really loved it!  mainly because i could break traffic rules and get away with it.  but i didn't find it all that dangerous.

Answer 5

Maybe in the Yucatan there are less cars. The only place I have ever seen people drive worse than Mexico is China. The closer you get to Mexico City, the worse it gets. The Absolute worst drivers are in the State of Mexico, specifically in it's capital, Toluca.

I live in Toluca, Mexico and am in Mexico City often.

Answer 6

I don't think it's a matter of Mexican drivers being that bad.  If you've ever driven in Europe (ie: Italy, Greece, etc..), I would expect it would be very similar (somewhat lax on some of the driving laws).

What I've been told is that the driving laws side with the Mexican drivers, so if you get in an accident, it's jail first and questions later.  I don't know how true that is, but that's what I was told.

My husband and I (from Winnipeg) are going to Playa del Carmen in January and were thinking about renting a car to see Chichen Itza, but now we're not so sure.

Answer 7

well, your insurance will not carry with you to Mexico...and you're going to want it.  Very few traffic signals to direct anybody makes it mayhem to cross an intersection.  I once watched a car parked on the side of the road get hit 3 times by cars driving past.  This happened in a half an hour....3 X'S.  If you do drive there make sure it's a rental or scooter....Good Luck.

Answer 8

I'm mexican and live in Mexico City, and yes, I have to admit that we're some of the worst drivers in the world...... we're aggressive and we don't respect traffic signs because the law isn't enforced here so everyone does as they please. That's slowly changing here in the big city and the surrounding areas (State of Mexico) where they've recently approved a new set of traffic rules, but still, that doesn't mean that everybody respects them.

Yucatan is small and people outside of the capital don't drive as badly as we do. I have an italian friend who is also used to chaotic driving (he lives in Rome) so he found it easy to drive around Yucatan (Merida) and Cancun. He even got pulled over by a cop because he didn't respect a traffic sign (he wasn't too familiar with our rules so he screwed up and had to pay money to the cop in order not to be taken to the police dept.), which I don't think has happened to him in Italy. So I guess it all depends where in Mexico you want to drive, but I definitely would advice you NOT to drive in the biggest cities (Mexico - Guadalajara - Monterrey) because it can get nasty..... not to mention the traffic jams that can keep you in your car for hours at mostly any time of the day.

Answer 9

Actually I find Mexican drivers (At least here in Mazatlan) to be rather good. However, they cannot park. "I can see the parking space from where I am so I must be close enough!"

The reason people from up north think they are bad is because the 'rules of the road' here are different. Defensive driving is rule  #1, #2, #3 and #4 on the top ten rules here. The reason I allways caution people about driving here is; As I said, the rules are different. Lack of dtreet sineage. Stop signs in un-expcted places. And you are now driving in a totalt unfamaliar city and don't know where YOU are going.

Answer 10

i don't know.

Answer 11

This is why you need Mexican Insurance.  You US Insurance will not cove you in Mexico. If you are involved in an accident your Mexican Insurance policy will prevent you from spending less time dealing with Mexican authorities or even facing criminal action whether you are at fault or not.  You can get Mexican Insurance online before you leave from http://www.mexbound.com

Answer 12

Mexican drivers are aggressive, occasionally rude...especially taxis...but many people are courteous.  If you can drive in Toronto, you can drive here in Mexico...just don´t try Mexico City!  iIam an American from Colorado, live near a city of one million...and  I drive here.  Just use commn sense and caution.

Answer 13

I have a few issues with them:

1. No insurance.

2. Failure to use safety-approved car seats for their kids.

3. Poorly maintained vehicles.

4. Large items not secured: i.e.- clothes dryer falls off back of pickup, kills family driving in car behind(This actually happened in my city two years ago).