Driving Tips

• Mexican drivers are more aggressive than most of us are used to. Drive very defensively! Be alert! Don’t be too polite, but be cautious. Remember, you’re the foreigner!

• When travelling in a group into Tijuana or to a work-site please drive slowly and stay close to the vehicle in your group ahead of you.

• Don’t run a yellow light, that’s the same as running a red.

• Watch for and be sure to stop at all stop signs (“Alto”).  Most are treated as four-way stops, so proceed accordingly.

• If you are stopped by the police, be polite, tell the truth, and do what they ask. They are usually quite reasonable. Never pay money to a policeman.

• Accidents: If you have a fender bender it is best to try to settle on the spot, unless the other person is unreasonable and wants to take advantage of the fact that you’re a foreigner. In that case call your Mexican insurance company. If you have a more serious accident call the Mexican insurance company immediately. Do not move the vehicle until the authorities arrive.

• It is a good idea to keep your vehicles locked at all times.

• Keep valuables in the vehicles during the day, but not at night. We have, on occasion, had vehicles broken into. That has generally happened when something worth stealing was visible through the window.

• Don’t let national kids into the vehicles at the work-site.

Crossing The Border...

When entering Mexico, you will receive either a green light or a red light at the border crossing. If you receive a red light you will need to pull over to Secondary Inspection. If you are stopped for Secondary, be polite and answer whatever questions are asked.

When returning to the U.S. you may have a long wait. Enjoy the vendors! The U.S. border official may ask your citizenship, what you’re bringing back from Mexico (no fireworks, no switch blades, no fruit permitted) and possibly what you were doing in Mexico. Be honest and polite. No joking around! Be sure everyone has their photo identification with them.