“Me first” My interpretation of the driving style in Mazatlán Mexico
Allow me to begin by fully admitting that I am and always have been an aggressive driver. At least that the way the men in my life and all the male cops that have pulled me over have described me. I think I am an incredibly defensive and offensive driver. Normally people are one or the other, not both, but I have been gifted and I can do both very well.
I also want to put out there that I have been in some very serious car accidents in my life. One that has involved a fatality. One that my head hit the windshield so hard the paramedics were shocked I didn’t catapult through it entirely. The very first accident I can recall I was 5 and was in the very back of my father’s station wagon in 1978 and we were hit so hard I landed on his lap in the front seat.
All these accidents have one thing in common. I was NEVER the driver. I have never been the driver of a car that has caused an accident. I have been rear ended but again not at fault. I don’t brag about this because I believe in fate, and although I shudder to write this or say this out loud, I have always been convinced this will be the way I leave this earth. I mention this because in Mazatlán I am a fish out of water. The rules of the road are there ARE NO RULES. Traffic patterns and commuter times vary as much as the weather here. I cannot figure any of it out. I am still uncomfortable driving here. Let me explain.
We have been living in Mazatlán for 8 months, and I still find myself saying “what the fuck?” when witnessing other drivers do some crazy, no insane shit behind the wheel. Mazatlán is known for the large number of motorcycles that deliver food on the road too. They weave and split traffic like I have never seen before. We have seen families of 4 on one motorcycle. And we rarely see helmets on the drivers. I can only describe it as “Me First” mentality. They won’t think twice about holding up an entire lane of traffic to stop and converse with another car or someone on the street (me first) They are constantly cutting each other off with no signals or warning (me first). They firmly believe that stop signs are optional (me first). Seriously, if they do not see a car coming, they won’t even pretend to slow the vehicle down. They double and triple park so you can count on parking in a designated spot when you go into a store, but two cars have blocked you in when you come out. Of course, there is no telling where these people went so you’re stuck just waiting until they are finished with their shopping (me first!). There are next to no speed limit signs on the street so you can literally go as fast or as slow as you see fit. Cars crossing an intersection will literally block the intersection if the traffic doesn’t move and the light changes (me first). Anyone in the left lane will feel entitled to make a right-hand turn and cut you off without even thinking about it (me first). Garbage and debris fly off trucks. People throw garbage right out the window of a moving car into traffic. Nothing makes sense to me. I suppose that my only saving grace is that the National Guard and the city police don’t bother with traffic violations. I am so used to being on high alert for ‘hiding cops’ in the United States, that I know that if I eventually follow suit with the driving style, I won’t be a target.
I can’t pretend to compete as a capable driver here. I only hold my breath and just hope I make it to my destination unharmed each and every time I drive.
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