Rules of the Road 2

Driving has an organic character in Mexico, even in cities. Where there are usually two lanes of traffic, a third will emerge if necessary as if the drivers spontaneously made the decision by consensus. It seems as if each driver knows the exact timing of the stoplights, knows the precise measurements of their perspective vehicle, and maneuvers daringly, yet confidently, between traffic. Once or twice, I could have sworn I saw wisps of dust being blown off the sides of a vehicle as it passed another, clearing it by no more than a couple of centimeters.

The horn, of course, qualifies as a Mexican instrument. If you happen to be daydreaming at a stoplight or waiting for some one to parallel park, folks will impatiently express their displeasure with the delay. As if playing a song, they will toot in unison or simply lay on the horn. And not just to get your attention, but until things start moving. Apparently, “Mexican time” doesn’t apply to driving.