Caravana Pan Americana: driving tips

Mexico

While scanning several messages in rec.travel.latin-america last evening, I came across one that just has to be quoted here. It was submitted by a Stan H in response to a question about driving in Mexico but is valid for all SAm and funny to boot.

Watch out for things that don't move:
1. potholes
2. cows lying in the road
3. people walking on the road
4. sleeping policemen (AKA speed bumps, used in lieu of signs or lights in all villages and most cities). {These are called 'quebra molas' in Brasil which means 'break springs.'}
Watch out for things that move:
1. Trucks
2. Buses
3. Other cars
4. cows along the road
Watch out.
Do NOT drive at night. You must have read this advice 150 times by now. Reasons for this advice:
1. You won't be able to see/avoid the items above that don't move. Livestock is especially dangerous - it is mostly free-ranging, will be grazing along the road way or, more likely, crossing the roadway or lying on the roadway about the time you come by.
2. You won't be able to see/avoid the items that move. Most vehicles don't use headlights. Most livestock don't use any lights.
Don't push too hard. Give yourself enough time to enjoy the journey as well as the destination.
Don't assume anything. For example, if a bus in front of you turns on its right turn signal, that does NOT mean they will turn right - rather it means that it is not safe for you to pass. If they turn on left signal, then it is OK to pass. By the same token, if you slow and signal a left turn into the stop across the highway, you could get clipped by those who try and pass your slowed vehicle.
It is no worse than driving here - you just need to be able to live by someone else's rules.

Brazil

In Brasil, truckers have an entire lexicon of signal flashes using headlights and turn signals to ask questions and get answers from oncoming vehicles.

If there is a bus in front of you and it turns on its right turn signal, it means that it is safe for you to pass. If they turn on left signal, then it means that it is not safe for you to pass.

If a bus or truck is coming and you want to know about the road conditions in front of you, turn on your left turn signal: if it turns its left turn signal too then everything is ok, but if it turns its right turn signal them there is something wrong.