I’m posting this because in the last couple of days, I have received several messages regarding news stories and the safety of Mexican highways.
Someone recently posted what appear to be warnings in regard to driving on certain highways in Mexico, and I’m wondering why? It’s not original journalism, but something quite obviously lifted, then copied and pasted. I don’t know the dates of publication, origins, or source of the referenced crime and/or accident figures. Without these numbers, the post is meaningless.
This is in response to those inquiries.
If you have a car, absolutely use it and drive on the roads and highways in Mexico. Many reading this have probably already experienced the drive from Manzanillo to Guadalajara or Chapala. The first time I made the drive, I was in awe. In five hours, I went from salt marsh and jungle to pine forests. The views were stunning. Where else in the world can you experience so many ecosystems in so few miles!
And as I look at the date, I’m reminded that it’s about time for this year’s La Carrera Panamericana. In 1950, Mexico announced the completion of the portion of the Pan-American Highway from Guatemala to the Texas border at Laredo. They organized a six-day race, and automobile companies from around the world sent teams to compete in what would become known as one of the toughest road rallies in the history of racing. It was touted as six days of high-speed driving through some of the most beautiful country in the world. That was not an exaggeration.
Ferrari, Lancia, and Mercedes sent cars, as well as a make that most people in the Americas had barely heard of at the time: a company called Porsche. It was here in Mexico that they made their mark on the racing world with a little car called the 550. The Americans sent down Chevys, Hudsons, and Studebakers.
Very soon, race teams from the US and Canada will be coming to Mexico to participate in and compete in this year’s race. They will have tow vehicles, trailers, repair tools and machinery, back-up tires, mechanics, drivers, and navigators. And millions of dollars worth of vintage race cars.
It will not be a caravan, but individual teams making the trek when they can, and just trying to arrive before check-in time at Oaxaca.
If the highway systems of Mexico were more dangerous now than they were last year, this would not be happening.
Those who have lived down here for twelve years or more will have many
Mexican friends. This is the time of year when families head out of town for camping and playing in the rivers. Maybe you’ve gotten lucky and been invited along on a trip or two.
If safety is a concern, talk to these friends about where you might want to go and ask them to suggest a route. If they are poor people, they grew up on the wrong side of castle walls in a country subjugated by corporate empires and corruption. They know how to survive the shifting winds of crime. Then go on your road trip and enjoy this beautiful country!
The late great Christopher Hitchens was once asked why he became a journalist. His answer was, “Because I don’t want to rely on newspapers for information.”
