How to drive safely in Mexico

You may hear mixed reviews on the safety of the roads in Mexico, but in general, it can be safe for foreigners to drive in Mexico. Outside of cities, take caution as roads may be in poor condition since there is not much upkeep in rural areas. Additionally, you’ll want to do your best to stick to the highway and toll roads, because they’re better monitored and deemed safer overall. Tolls can be paid in cash using Mexican pesos or dollars. Finally, avoid accidents and aggression from other drivers by matching your speed with the flow of traffic rather than the posted limit since going too slow can be as dangerous as driving too fast.

It’s not recommended to drive at night when visiting Mexico for several reasons. For starters, there are a lack of streetlamps, especially in rural areas, which dramatically reduces visibility and makes it nearly impossible to see obstacles that may be on the road. In addition to low visibility, many roads are not maintained and may be unpaved, increasing your likelihood of getting into an accident. Finally, another added risk are animals and people who may be crossing the roads at night, so it is often not worth the risk to drive at night.

Before making your way across the border, you’ll want to make sure you have the items and documentation you need to have a safe and happy road trip. Plus, you’ll want to make sure you remove the items that could get you into trouble.  Make sure you have your documentation ready to go to make crossing the border as smooth as possible.

If you haven’t driven through Mexico before, you might not know about the checkpoints along the highway. These military checkpoints are strategically placed along the Mexican highway and will sometimes stop cars for an inspection. These inspections are an effort to limit illegal activities, like drug trafficking, which can take place in the country.

When you encounter a checkpoint, you’ll want to slow down and see if you are signaled to pull over. If you are chosen for an inspection, stay calm. As mentioned, most inspections are random so there is no cause for alarm. Just remain courteous and be patient while your vehicle is searched. They may use mirrors to check under your car and search dogs to sniff out illegal substances. You’ll be allowed to watch the inspection and ask questions to the leading officer if you feel the search isn’t being properly conducted.

Getting pulled over can feel scary, especially in a foreign country. But just because it feels intimidating, doesn’t mean it’s something you need to fear. If you get pulled over in Mexico, you’ll want to respectfully interact with the officer. They will ask for documentation like your license, registration and rental car information if you didn’t bring your own vehicle. If you violated a law, you’ll likely receive a fine that can be paid by following the instructions on the ticket. In some cases, your license may be taken until the fine is paid at a local police station. Finally, do not attempt to bribe an officer or engage in a bribe since you can end up in more trouble if the officer is not corrupt.

If you’re driving into Mexico, you’ll want to prepare your vehicle with items to keep you safe and on track for your journey. This means you’ll want to prepare personal items, your documentation and helpful items for the road. You should consider bringing:

• A spare tire
• GPS
• Jumper cables
• Portable jump charger
• Five-gallon gas container
• First aid kit
• Towels
• Cooler
• A travel insurance plan
• Labeled prescription medication

If you’re renting a car, some items like a GPS, spare tire and jumper cables may be available from the rental company.

Before heading off to Mexico, it’s important to remember the rules of the road will be different than what you’re used to. For starters, Mexico drivers use kilometers instead of miles, which may also impact the speedometer of your rental car (most vehicle displays can be switched to show miles or kilometers, check your vehicle handbook or ask at the rental desk if you need help doing this). Additionally, some drivers have more aggressive behavior and will turn or change lanes quickly and without warning. Because of this, you’ll want to practice defensive driving like leaving plenty of space between you and other vehicles and lower your speed without slowing down the flow of traffic.

Many road signs in Mexico look similar to road signs you’d see in the U.S. Still, it’s important to review common road signs you could encounter while driving through Mexico:

Stop Sign – A red octagon with the Spanish word ALTO (stop)

Speed Bumps – A Topes (speed bump) sign is a yellow diamond with three small hills next to each other indicating rough terrain and the need for caution

Yield – A triangle sign with the Spanish words CEDA EL PASO

No Parking – An “E” with a line through it indicates no parking

If you get into a car accident during your trip to Mexico, the first thing you should do is make sure everyone in the vehicle is uninjured. If not, you can call 911 for emergency services. Assuming that everyone is okay, you’ll want to exchange contact information if another driver was involved. If you are renting a car, you should contact the rental company as soon as possible to report any damages or request roadside assistance if needed. If a tow is required, you may need to pay for the costs out of pocket depending on your policy with the rental company or policy of insurance from your car insurance if applicable. For more safety tips, check out our article for essential road safety tips for driving a rental car.

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