![]() |
|
| *Travel Tips>>>General - Mexico Travel Tips |
Are there crosswalks in Mexico? |
Travel Info I see Mexicans all over Houston (especially S.Gessner area) crossing in the middle of the street (jaywalking). I'm not so concerned about Pablo and Jose running across the street as I am about Maria and Consuela with their three small children in tow. Travel Tips Actually jay-walking IS against the law (seldom enforced) and while automobiles are technically supposed to stop for pedestrians, they often don't (never the peseros, buses or taxis). My friend Charlie (above) lives in a lovely town (Xalapa) where people probably are much nicer, but I live in the DF where the rule is always, "the biggest meanest vehicle ALWAYS has the right of way!" (this applies to pedestrians, too). That is probably why most Mexicans ignore crosswalks and just cross where and when they can. After a lifetime of training, it is hard to break ingrained habits. (It took my wife (Mexican) almost 5 years living in Canada to get used to the idea that one could cross the road in crosswalks in front of moving traffic safely, she never did LIKE the idea, she just got used to it.) Others Yes there are but not as many as in the US... and laws are not as strict in Mex either as they are in the US. YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why don't you go there you live in Houston. Yes there are crosswalks, but jaywalking is not against the law, and motorists are always expected to let pedestrians go first. Of course, not all drivers are that couteous, but it is perfectly acceptable for people to cross anywhere along the block. Many blocks , actually, most, are much longer than blocks in the U.S. Just saw "Don"s answer...ya he is right...and Mexicans also commonly walk with their small children right behind your car when you are backing out of a parking place...they think nothing of it, but it scares ME to death! American living in Mexico LOL. This question made me laugh b/c it's such a typical habit... it's true that it's more common for Mexicans to cross randomly. But as a pedestrian myself, I find that I often cross when I can, even if there isn't a crosswalk... so it's not exactly a Mexican phenomenon either. Keep in mind that many people don't have their own transportation in Mexico and highways or major roads have been built smack in the middle of their path to work/school/etc. I've often seen people walking along the highways or crossing a 4-lane highway/busy road. It's not illegal and for them it's not a big deal, just a part of their lives. Granted, it's not safe, but I'm not sure that you'll get Maria to stop doing it anytime soon. personal experience |
| Tags |
| Playa del Carmen Puerto Vallarta Tijuana Veracruz Zacatecas General - Mexico Chile Costa Rica Ecuador El Salvador Guatemala |
Travel Info Categories--Copyright/IP Policy--Contact Webmaster |