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While vacationing in Tulum, an American woman crashed against a concrete wall of a hotel while driving a motorcycle in Tulum. The woman, who stays at Alba Hotel in Aldea Zama, suffered a head injury from the crash. The Aldea Zama is a luxurious residential community that blends the modern lifestyle with the antique charm of Tulum.
This real estate complex is located at the heart of Riviera Maya in the state of Quintana Roo and shares the western coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula with famous tourist destinations like Cancun and Playa Del Carmen.
According to witnesses, the woman was speeding when the collision happened. Luckily, she was only unconscious momentarily and was even able to get up and interact with local witnesses at the site of the accident. Since a medical team was reportedly unavailable on the spot, a local taxi driver offered to drive the victim to the hospital. The woman declined, but in due time, an ambulance from the Fire Department arrived at the scene and attended to the woman. It’s reported that the victim was under the influence of alcohol and speeding. As a result, this has led them to believe to be a contributing factor to the incident.
Not only is alcohol a factor in driving accidents, but it also plays a role in other tourist-related incidents in the Riviera Maya. About three months ago, a British tourist died in a coma after accidentally falling from a hotel balcony in Cancun. Not long after, an American tourist drowned in Playa del Carmen. While these accidents have yet to be solved, alcohol is linked as one of the possible causes.
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Unfortunately, there is a number of various accidents suspected to be due to alcohol consumption. Just this month, an intoxicated Chetumal taxi driver caused a traffic problem in Calzada Del Centenario. Although this destination is not as talked about compared to nearby tourist hotspots, Chetumal is the capital city of Quintana Roo, located just about 3 hours south of Tulum. Recently, it was announced that Chetumal is going to launch the Magical Neighborhood attraction as a way to promote the rich local culture and history of the city.
Recent mishaps have led the State of Quintana Roo’s Mobility Institute (Imoveqroo) to more closely monitor Chetumal taxi drivers who drive while intoxicated. The institute gives no tolerance for this behavior and poses to permanently revoke the license of violators.
Tulum Road Safety Law for Tourists and Residents
The Mexican government has issued the General Transportation and Road Safety Law in order to reduce the number of car crashes. A part of this new regulation forbids phone use while driving. Additionally, all motorists must follow protocol by wearing a seatbelt, and if you’re a motorcyclist, you are required to wear a helmet. This new policy is in effect for all drivers, whether you’re a resident or a tourist. Lastly, there is a maximum speed limit set in place for all vehicles. Drivers may also be given a breathalyzer test to check alcohol level under deemed circumstances.
Despite stiff consequences and penalties for violators, there is still an alarming rise in the number of accidents involving public transit vehicles, especially taxis. This has resulted in hundreds of injuries this year alone. Apart from this, even private transportation services have been involved in the mix. Just this week, a tourist was killed after getting run over by a private tourist bus. With an expected surge of tourists in December, road security measures need to be more strictly implemented to ensure their safety.
Thankfully, fatalities involving tourists in road accidents are rare. Medical emergency units in Tulum and nearby cities are trained to respond efficiently to calls. However, this does not mean you should let your guard down completely when vacationing in unfamiliar territory. While on your trip, be sure to practice road safety by avoiding alcohol consumption when driving, following the speed limit, wearing seatbelts or helmets when riding motorbikes, and refraining from using phones while driving. If you are traveling with friends, make sure to keep an eye out for each other and hold each other accountable.
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