Driving in Mexico offers visitors from other countries, especially the United States, a new type of experience that is fascinating and frightening at the same time. Many roads are narrow having potholes. There are few fences around the roads, so there is every chance of cattle and livestock jumping in front of your vehicle when driving in Mexican territory. There are hardly any shoulders in case of an emergency. Mostly when you approach a town or a school, you find a sign that says "TOPE" that means "speed bump that will rip your underbelly off if you go too fast." Sometimes you have to be alert as there are no signs at all. Have you heard of Vados? These are dips in a road that can quickly fill with water in a rain storm. It is not unnatural to be washed away by a flash flood after a storm in the desert. The streets in cities and towns are often narrow in which negotiating turns is almost impossible. Over your head hang low hydro wires and overgrown trees that scrape your roof and sides. These are some of the hazards you are likely to face while driving in Mexico.

But if there are problems, there must be some solutions. Here are some recommendations to overcome these Mexico driving hazards.

Make it a point not to drive in Mexico at night. It is difficult to spot those animals on the roads as the light is poor. Plan your trip each and everyday so that you are in a position to judge exactly how long you can drive without any sort of discomfort. The duration varies from person to person, but generally it should not exceed four hours. Do not accelerate too much. Try to pit stop every two hours. Relax for ten minutes and then start anew. Mexico drivingIt is better early in the morning, more so at the crack of dawn. If your vehicle starts giving trouble, you can then make arrangements before nightfall. Try to follow the signs and obey the signals. Always try to avoid trouble. If you get a traffic ticket the police will seize your driver's license and you will have to go to the police station and pay a fine. You will be stuck overnight in case the station is closed. Be careful if you find rocks on the pavement placed in a pile by the side of the road. It often indicates a road hazard or that the road has crumbled beyond the normal three inch shoulder. Sometimes, red Tecate beer cans also mark a hazard perhaps because they are reflective. If you on a lengthy drive throughout Mexico, be prepared for tire damage, more so in Chiapas or Oaxaca.
Do not forget to take along with you a good spare and jack before you go anywhere.

Always remember to purchase quality auto insurance in Mexico. It is very risky to drive in Mexican territories without insurance due to the fact there is no governing claims company.
Remain extra alert on curvy or mountainous roads. You will find slow moving drivers often pass without a good view of oncoming traffic. Take your car in for a solid check-up before beginning your journey and keep a directory of car dealers on hand. The Green Angels or Angeles Verdes patrol the highways and help stranded drivers. Driven mostly by bilingual mechanics, the Green Angels can be reached by dialing 01-55-5250-8221 anywhere in Mexico (hours of attention: 8am-8pm).


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