driving in Mexico

While in Mexico a few weeks ago, we were driving down a fairly recent highway (formerly a 2-lane road). The government is obviously trying to teach folks the rules of the road; signs every 500 yards along the road repeatedly reminded drivers:
* An accident changes your life forever
* Do not drive on the shoulder
* Seat belts save lives
* Do not speed
* Go slow, save your life
* Obey the speed limit
* Don't throw trash on the side of the road
* Pay attention to the road

Despite all the reminders, it seemed that the only thing that slowed drivers down were the killer speed bumps as we passed through towns -- they required drivers to slow from 75 mph to about 15 mph.  Otherwise, it's basically "drive fast and pray."

Comments

[Rosemary Carstens]

That is so right on! I used to live in Mexico and I NEVER drove there, always took local buses or flew. It was well known that if a foreigner was involved in an accident, they would be taken to jail, no excuses allowed. A friend of mine was in a cab one night going to another town. The driver hit something or someone. He stopped, took a look, then ran away, leaving my friend there to deal with the police. It took some time to get it straightened out--
Rosemary Carstens
http://carstensFEAST.blogspot.com