First, driving is safe in the Riviera Maya. If you are not comfortable driving in areas that are unfamiliar to you, take public transport and or hire a vehicle and driver for the day. If you are a confident driver, get behind the wheel and know these rules before you venture out:
1. Passing or being passed on the highway. When traveling on the highway be alert and vigilant for aggressive drivers. Let tailgaters pass. Generally, it is a good idea to stay right if you are allowing someone to pass. On undivided roads, drivers in the on-coming lane may choose to pass and cross the centerline of the road at unexpected times. Be ready to move a bit to the right to help the oncoming car pass safely.
2. Hazards lights are used as a warning that traffic is stopping or slowing down ahead. If the car ahead of you puts on their hazard lights it means they are starting to slow down either for a speed bump, pedestrian cross walk or traffic jam. This is your cue to slow down and put on your hazards so that the cars behind you know that you are slowing down as well. This is a brilliant addition to driving signals! Knowing in advance that highway traffic will be travelling at a slower rate than the speed limit is an invaluable way to decrease accidents.
3. The all mighty stop sign. Full stops at stop signs are not necessarily observed by local drivers, so proceed with caution. This is not legal by any means but North American drivers will assume that cars approaching a stop sign will stop. A local driver may stop or may yield, and will only stop if it is clearly evident that they will not make it through an intersection safely. Our suggestion is to use a stop sign as a stop sign and proceed with caution.
4. Safely making a left-hand turn on the highway. If you need to make a left hand turn on a single or two lane highway pull over to the right and wait for a clear path. Local highways and the 307 coastal highway from Tulum to Xcalak do not have left hand turn lanes. When traveling along the 307 highway between Cancun and Tulum use the ‘retorno’ system for left hand turns. Highway signs indicate where cars can make a return on the highway in a designated left hand turn lane. Retornos are used as a break in the highway media where you can head back to your destination on the other side of the highway.
5. The left directional signal. A flashing left blinker can mean several things: 1) I am moving to the left. 2) I am turning left. 3) Go ahead and pass me on my left side. Understanding the various uses of the left hand signal makes driving easier and safer. Know that if there is someone behind you, they may try to pass you on the left if you turn on your left blinker.
6. Speed bumps and topes. Speed bumps (topes in Spanish) are everywhere! These inconvenient and at time difficult to see speed bumps are used to maintain speed and ensure public safety. When entering a village, an intersection or heavy pedestrian area, speed bumps are used to slow down oncoming traffic. The challenge is seeing them as not all speed bumps have a road sign indicating they exist. Proceed through villages and small towns with caution so you avoid hitting a speed bump at full speed.
7.Be safe. Wear your seat belt, don’t drink and drive and if tropical rain starts, slow down, turn your lights on and if you have to, pull over. Road conditions are much improved on the 307 highway but drive carefully on back highways that may have potholes and debris.
Residents drive throughout the area with ease. Knowing and understanding some of the local, unknown road rules makes your DIY adventure tours a lot easier and safer.
From The Playa Times
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