FORUM FUN FEATURE!! Driving in Playa del Carmen

**Bumper** · 06-13-2004

We see numerous posts and inquiries on the forum concerning driving in and around Playa del Carmen. It may be beneficial to provide some background on the kinds of rules and common practices most Playa drivers observe. Hopefully, this information will give you some idea of what to expect as you make your way around the area.

Playa del Carmen Driving Rules

If, at any time, you have witnessed a green light, it is okay to proceed through the intersection, regardless of the current colour of the light.

A shoulder becomes a lane if you are driving a rental vehicle.

If you paid more than $60,000 for your car, you automatically have the right of way, regardless of the situation. This is especially applicable in parking lots.

Get to know your horn. Use it as often as possible.

Drive as quickly as possible through parking structures. Pass any open spot by at least four car lengths before backing up to claim it. Disregard the angry mob that has formed behind you.

While driving on Hwy 307 and talking on your cel phone, alternate your speed between 45 and 100 MPH. This is especially effective if driving in the fast lane.

Always adjust your car alarm to its most sensitive setting before leaving your vehicle parked on the street.

During rush hour, drivers should pass the time by reading L. Ron Hubbard, and practice inner peace when cut off by a taxi cab.

If you miss your exit, no worries. Just cut across all lanes of traffic and drive over the divider. If you really weren’t supposed to cross it, they would make it a concrete barrier, rather than just flowers.

Every lane is the suicide lane.

For parking lot purposes, all SUV’s are compact cars. Honest!

To calculate the proper speed limit on a major road, subtract your age from 100. Double this number if your car has dual exhausts. Conversely, add your age to 100 if you are driving on Hwy 307, or if you are suffering from a mid-life crisis.

If you hear sirens, DO NOT pull over. Slow down right where you are and start looking for carnage.

Totally disregard on-coming traffic.
If there are already three cars stopped at a four-way stop, accelerate immediately. Otherwise, one of these cars might go ahead of you.

Rush hour at the Hwy 307 and Constituyentes intersection is from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM, except around tourist season, when rush hour extends to 3:00 AM.

Take full advantage of your right to do U-turns. Laugh aloud at drivers from other countries who turn around in driveways or side streets.

In case of rain, immediately pull over. You cannot drive in any sort of precipitation.

While driving uphill, do not downshift. When driving downhill, ride your brakes.

When on a one-way street, stay to the right to allow oncoming traffic to pass.

Never, ever, stop for a pedestrian unless they actually throw themselves under the wheels of your vehicle.

The first parking spot you see will be the last parking spot you see. Grab it!

Never get in the way of a vehicle that already needs extensive body work.

Always look both ways when running a red light.

Never use directional signals when changing lanes. They will only encourage other drivers to speed up and not let you in.

Making eye contact revokes your right-of–way.

Whenever practical, stop in the middle of a crosswalk to insure inconveniencing as many pedestrians as possible. If a pedestrian ahead of you steps into the road, speed up, honk, or yell loudly, chasing them in panicked flight back to the curb. Pedestrians have no rights.

Crossing two or more lanes in a single lane change is considered “going with the flow.”

A right lane construction closure is just a game to see how many people can cut in line by passing you on the right as you sit in the left lane waiting for the same jerks to squeeze their way back in before hitting the orange construction barrels.

Turn signals are a clue as to your next move. A real Playa driver never uses them.

Under no circumstances should you leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, or the space will be filled by somebody else putting you in an even more dangerous situation.

The faster you drive through a red light, the smaller the chance you have of being hit.

Braking is to be done as hard and as late as possible to insure that your ABS kicks in giving you a nice soothing foot massage as the brake pedal pulsates. For those vehicles without ABS, it’s a chance to stretch your legs.

Construction signs tell you about road closures immediately after you pass the last exit before the traffic goes into total gridlock.

Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right. It’s a good way to find out how many vehicles are on the shoulder.

Speed limits are arbitrary figures, given only as suggestions, and apparently unenforceable in the Playa del Carmen area.

Just because you’re in the appropriate lane, and have no room to speed up or move over, doesn’t mean that a Playa driver, flashing his high beams behind you, doesn’t think he can go faster where he in your spot.

Remember that there is no such thing as a shortcut during rush hour traffic in Playa del Carmen.

Always slow down and rubberneck when you see an accident or even somebody changing a tire.

Throwing litter on the roadside adds variety to the landscape, keeps the existing litter from getting lonely, and provides work for the Adopt-A-Highway groups.

Everybody thinks their vehicle is better than yours (especially pickup truck drivers with stickers in their rear windows showing Calvin peeing on Ford, Dodge, or Chevy logos)

Remember that it is the goal of every Play driver to get there first, by whatever means necessary.

Learn to swerve abruptly. Playa del Carmen is the home of high speed slalom driving, thanks to QRDOT (Quintana Roo Department of Transportation), which places potholes in key locations to test driver’s vision and reflexes.

It is traditional in Playa del Carmen to honk your horn at cars that don’t move the instant a light changes.

Never take a green light at face value. Always look left and right before proceeding.

Gale force winds, torrential downpours, fog, or hurricanes are not considered valid reasons to alter any of the previously listed rules. These weather conditions are God’s way of insuring the natural selection process for body shops, junk yards, emergency medical facilities, and new vehicle sales

TAPPY · 06-13-2004

GreaT POST bumper.....one of the things I loved about Mexican drivers is that everyone drives just like that in Louisiana !!!! (I felt right at home). :p
Every one in the tranfer van was gasping and had death grips on the seats....we were all relaxed and drinking a beer and wondering how come the driver was going so slow !!!!!

Nerak936 · 06-13-2004

Took the words right outta my mouth, Tappy.

Was gonna say that Bumper's post basically describes the rules of driving in the Boston area. Except for me, of course. I'm a wonderful driver.

But then I get to the end of my driveway and have to enter the real world......

03-03-2005

after driving this summer from Dallas to Guadalajara and then to Puerto Vallarta AND back...driving in Playa will be a breeze! Thanks for the laughs Bumper...Mexican drivers are hysterical.

playabum17 · 03-03-2005

You may have forgotten one rule:
Stop signs are only a suggestion. If you were to stop that might be a place to do so.

Kim from Michigan · 03-10-2005

Quote:

Whenever practical, stop in the middle of a crosswalk to insure inconveniencing as many pedestrians as possible. If a pedestrian ahead of you steps into the road, speed up, honk, or yell loudly, chasing them in panicked flight back to the curb. Pedestrians have no rights.

My favorite, I am still giggling, good thing there is no one in my office today!

4friends4ever · 03-10-2005

Love it. You sure this wasn't written about Massachusetts drivers. It sounds like driving there would be a piece of cake. Right up my alley.

**Jesus** · 03-21-2005

Wait until any of you have driven in Mexico City, then you may talk about it... if you survive.

Some Europeans tell me that a place worst than Mexico city is Rome, but I can't belive it... yet.

**james** · 03-24-2005

Yes, I've heard that about Rome too, but it's hard to believe. I thought I knew how to drive but I really learned in four years cruising (creeping and crawling) the DF causeways.

My personal favorites include Tlalpan and el Viaducto.

**Jesus** · 03-24-2005

That is because they are somehow drivable, trying the Periferico at peak hour gets into the nerves of everybody, fortunately I hadn't to do it, I have a friend that commutes 2 hours to get to work at rush hour, but at midnight is 20 minutes, crazy!!!

traci · 03-25-2005

Sounds like driving in Houaton to me

**Jesus** · 03-26-2005

Yeah, the traffic would be as heavy, but I don't think that your guys are as rude as ours, specially as from a couple of years back, to get a driver's license you don't need ANY test at all, no driving test, no traffic rules knowledge, no visual or hearing exam, nothin'.

You just show up at the office, pay in advance the fee, fill a simple form, present an official aproved paper with your address (can be the electricity bill, phone bill, voters registry ID, etc). and in 15 minutes you walk out with a Driver's license with no ending date (lifetime). And 99% of the people just don't care about driving lessons, they learn on the road with a friend or sometimes almost alone. (all this is just Mexico city, the rest of the States has their own rules to get the license).

Not yet scared Tracy?

06-13-2004	#1 (permalink)
Bumper Class Clown Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 9,213	FORUM FUN FEATURE!! Driving in Playa del Carmen We see numerous posts and inquiries on the forum concerning driving in and around Playa del Carmen. It may be beneficial to provide some background on the kinds of rules and common practices most Playa drivers observe. Hopefully, this information will give you some idea of what to expect as you make your way around the area. Playa del Carmen Driving Rules If, at any time, you have witnessed a green light, it is okay to proceed through the intersection, regardless of the current colour of the light. A shoulder becomes a lane if you are driving a rental vehicle. If you paid more than $60,000 for your car, you automatically have the right of way, regardless of the situation. This is especially applicable in parking lots. Get to know your horn. Use it as often as possible. Drive as quickly as possible through parking structures. Pass any open spot by at least four car lengths before backing up to claim it. Disregard the angry mob that has formed behind you. While driving on Hwy 307 and talking on your cel phone, alternate your speed between 45 and 100 MPH. This is especially effective if driving in the fast lane. Always adjust your car alarm to its most sensitive setting before leaving your vehicle parked on the street. During rush hour, drivers should pass the time by reading L. Ron Hubbard, and practice inner peace when cut off by a taxi cab. If you miss your exit, no worries. Just cut across all lanes of traffic and drive over the divider. If you really weren’t supposed to cross it, they would make it a concrete barrier, rather than just flowers. Every lane is the suicide lane. For parking lot purposes, all SUV’s are compact cars. Honest! To calculate the proper speed limit on a major road, subtract your age from 100. Double this number if your car has dual exhausts. Conversely, add your age to 100 if you are driving on Hwy 307, or if you are suffering from a mid-life crisis. If you hear sirens, DO NOT pull over. Slow down right where you are and start looking for carnage. Totally disregard on-coming traffic. If there are already three cars stopped at a four-way stop, accelerate immediately. Otherwise, one of these cars might go ahead of you. Rush hour at the Hwy 307 and Constituyentes intersection is from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM, except around tourist season, when rush hour extends to 3:00 AM. Take full advantage of your right to do U-turns. Laugh aloud at drivers from other countries who turn around in driveways or side streets. In case of rain, immediately pull over. You cannot drive in any sort of precipitation. While driving uphill, do not downshift. When driving downhill, ride your brakes. When on a one-way street, stay to the right to allow oncoming traffic to pass. Never, ever, stop for a pedestrian unless they actually throw themselves under the wheels of your vehicle. The first parking spot you see will be the last parking spot you see. Grab it! Never get in the way of a vehicle that already needs extensive body work. Always look both ways when running a red light. Never use directional signals when changing lanes. They will only encourage other drivers to speed up and not let you in. Making eye contact revokes your right-of–way. Whenever practical, stop in the middle of a crosswalk to insure inconveniencing as many pedestrians as possible. If a pedestrian ahead of you steps into the road, speed up, honk, or yell loudly, chasing them in panicked flight back to the curb. Pedestrians have no rights. Crossing two or more lanes in a single lane change is considered “going with the flow.” A right lane construction closure is just a game to see how many people can cut in line by passing you on the right as you sit in the left lane waiting for the same jerks to squeeze their way back in before hitting the orange construction barrels. Turn signals are a clue as to your next move. A real Playa driver never uses them. Under no circumstances should you leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, or the space will be filled by somebody else putting you in an even more dangerous situation. The faster you drive through a red light, the smaller the chance you have of being hit. Braking is to be done as hard and as late as possible to insure that your ABS kicks in giving you a nice soothing foot massage as the brake pedal pulsates. For those vehicles without ABS, it’s a chance to stretch your legs. Construction signs tell you about road closures immediately after you pass the last exit before the traffic goes into total gridlock. Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right. It’s a good way to find out how many vehicles are on the shoulder. Speed limits are arbitrary figures, given only as suggestions, and apparently unenforceable in the Playa del Carmen area. Just because you’re in the appropriate lane, and have no room to speed up or move over, doesn’t mean that a Playa driver, flashing his high beams behind you, doesn’t think he can go faster where he in your spot. Remember that there is no such thing as a shortcut during rush hour traffic in Playa del Carmen. Always slow down and rubberneck when you see an accident or even somebody changing a tire. Throwing litter on the roadside adds variety to the landscape, keeps the existing litter from getting lonely, and provides work for the Adopt-A-Highway groups. Everybody thinks their vehicle is better than yours (especially pickup truck drivers with stickers in their rear windows showing Calvin peeing on Ford, Dodge, or Chevy logos) Remember that it is the goal of every Play driver to get there first, by whatever means necessary. Learn to swerve abruptly. Playa del Carmen is the home of high speed slalom driving, thanks to QRDOT (Quintana Roo Department of Transportation), which places potholes in key locations to test driver’s vision and reflexes. It is traditional in Playa del Carmen to honk your horn at cars that don’t move the instant a light changes. Never take a green light at face value. Always look left and right before proceeding. Gale force winds, torrential downpours, fog, or hurricanes are not considered valid reasons to alter any of the previously listed rules. These weather conditions are God’s way of insuring the natural selection process for body shops, junk yards, emergency medical facilities, and new vehicle sales __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a pristine, well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally used up and worn out, shouting "Holy Shit...what a ride!!"

03-24-2005	#9 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,552	Yes, I've heard that about Rome too, but it's hard to believe. I thought I knew how to drive but I really learned in four years cruising (creeping and crawling) the DF causeways. My personal favorites include Tlalpan and el Viaducto. __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image! Thanks for taking the time to read the announcement!

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06-13-2004	#2 (permalink)
TAPPY Weeziana peep Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 14,668	GreaT POST bumper.....one of the things I loved about Mexican drivers is that everyone drives just like that in Louisiana !!!! (I felt right at home). :p Every one in the tranfer van was gasping and had death grips on the seats....we were all relaxed and drinking a beer and wondering how come the driver was going so slow !!!!!

06-13-2004	#3 (permalink)
Nerak936 Crazy Cat Lady =^.''.^= Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Southeastern Massachusetts Posts: 18,323	Took the words right outta my mouth, Tappy. Was gonna say that Bumper's post basically describes the rules of driving in the Boston area. Except for me, of course. I'm a wonderful driver. But then I get to the end of my driveway and have to enter the real world......

03-03-2005	#4 (permalink)
txteacher Posts: n/a	after driving this summer from Dallas to Guadalajara and then to Puerto Vallarta AND back...driving in Playa will be a breeze! Thanks for the laughs Bumper...Mexican drivers are hysterical.

03-03-2005	#5 (permalink)
playabum17 naughtiest chica Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: My body may be in Minnesota, but my brain is in Playa! Posts: 15,455	You may have forgotten one rule: Stop signs are only a suggestion. If you were to stop that might be a place to do so.

03-10-2005	#7 (permalink)
4friends4ever lost on fifth Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Worcester MA Posts: 24	Love it. You sure this wasn't written about Massachusetts drivers. It sounds like driving there would be a piece of cake. Right up my alley.

03-21-2005	#8 (permalink)
Jesus Nutty Peep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mexico City, Mexico Posts: 4,389	Wait until any of you have driven in Mexico City, then you may talk about it... if you survive. Some Europeans tell me that a place worst than Mexico city is Rome, but I can't belive it... yet.

03-24-2005	#10 (permalink)
Jesus Nutty Peep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mexico City, Mexico Posts: 4,389	That is because they are somehow drivable, trying the Periferico at peak hour gets into the nerves of everybody, fortunately I hadn't to do it, I have a friend that commutes 2 hours to get to work at rush hour, but at midnight is 20 minutes, crazy!!!

03-25-2005	#11 (permalink)
traci añejo Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Spring Texas Posts: 2,449	Sounds like driving in Houaton to me

03-26-2005	#12 (permalink)
Jesus Nutty Peep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mexico City, Mexico Posts: 4,389	Yeah, the traffic would be as heavy, but I don't think that your guys are as rude as ours, specially as from a couple of years back, to get a driver's license you don't need ANY test at all, no driving test, no traffic rules knowledge, no visual or hearing exam, nothin'. You just show up at the office, pay in advance the fee, fill a simple form, present an official aproved paper with your address (can be the electricity bill, phone bill, voters registry ID, etc). and in 15 minutes you walk out with a Driver's license with no ending date (lifetime). And 99% of the people just don't care about driving lessons, they learn on the road with a friend or sometimes almost alone. (all this is just Mexico city, the rest of the States has their own rules to get the license). Not yet scared Tracy?

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