Mexico City – Mexican driving instructors certainly have the most unusual pieces of advice in store.
For example, they say that before changing lanes, a driver should by no means use the blinker signal – because another motorist, knowing his intention, may then suddenly cut him off at the last second.
Using the blinker without turning, and turning without first signalling are two of the most favourite methods practiced by Mexican drivers.
For in Mexico City, one of the world’s largest metropolises, traffic conditions are often more like hand-to-hand combat – and the trump cards are deception and cunning. He who does not step on the gas pedal is doomed, and when in doubt, the right-of-way always goes to the most daring.
More than three and one-half million cars are on the road in the city, which with its suburbs has around 18 million people.
Despite the traffic jams, the city with its huge parking lots and multi-lane highways and intersections is basically a car-friendly place – to the dismay of environmentalists who, in view of the air pollution, are demanding restrictions on individual traffic in favour of collective transportation.
Amid all the outward signs of anarchy on the roads, in the daily traffic battle there is an entire army of law protection officers who are trying to regulate the chaos.
These uniformed officials are genuine friends and helpers, but also are not averse to negotiating over a traffic ticket.
Instead of a ticket, the badly-paid “policia” official will accept a small “mordida” – a bribe – in return for ignoring how a driver has gone through a red light or failed to fasten his seat belt. For the motorist, the “mordida” is always cheaper.
What is completely unknown in Mexico are police controls for drunken driving or speeding.
Those out having a good time can drive from tavern to tavern without any interference from police, although the huge dents in the the metal road dividers on the “periferico” – the city’s outer highway ring – are testimony to the fact that such tours do not always end up smoothly.
On Mexico’s modern superhighways, the principle which applies is “open road for free citizens” – albeit only for those who are so free of economic restraints that they can afford the high tolls.
In view of the exorbitant tolls, many of the “autopistas” are only sparingly used in many regions. But one can certainly make better time on these than on the rural roads where “topes” – bumps – can often force a driver to make a complete stop.
The only really unpleasant moment of surprise awaiting a motorist in the downtown area is when leaves the car in a no-parking zone.
If the motorist can’t find the car where he left it, he usually doesn’t have to worry. The police are likely to be found towing the car around in their “grua” – the tow-truck – around the block. For a “mordida”, they will hand the car back over.
If necessary, the police will even drive the motorist to the nearest automated cash machine to help him obtain the necessary sum.
