Transito

The Department of Transito, a division of the Municipal Government in San Miguel de Allende, consists of approximately 100 traffic agents. All transito officers should be wearing a blue or white uniform while on duty, and are readily identifiable through their nametags.

INFRACTIONS

Drunk Driving is treated as the most serious of the traffic infractions. The city has a “zero-tolerance” policy for any kind of drinking while driving. A special task force is now in operation which targets certain areas of the city with a high concentration of bars. An individual, who is stopped, will be detained if his/her alcohol level registers more than .40 mlg. per liter. The car will be confiscated, which includes a towing fee, a storage fee and a fine of more than 2000 pesos. The fine is doubled for the second offense. For taxi and bus drivers, use of any alcohol is treated as a major infraction, and offenders could be jailed.

Speeding infractions for cars within the city limits are rare, but can be recorded since radar devices are used. The speed limit on city streets is 20 km/hr; for highways, it is 60 km/hr (or about 40 miles per hr)

Mexican-plated vehicles must be inspected two times per year for emissions. Testing costs approximately 200 pesos. Failure of the owner to comply can result in a 200 pesos fine. US or Canadian plated cars must also have their emissions certified here—unless the vehicle has been inspected (within the last 12 months) in the home state or province.

Vehicles which are left in a “No Standing” area, commonly known as “Red Zones” will be towed by Transito. Release costs will include towing and storage.

COMPLAINTS
There is an appeal procedure, and e/mails with such information should be sent directly to Director Adolfo Cervantes’ office. The same applies to any complaints about transit officers, who are rated on their dress and attitude. Any request for a bribe should be reported immediately, and if proven, could result in loss of the officer’s job.

ALTERNATIVE VEHICLES
Quad-Motos (4-wheelers) are allowed on city streets, but must be licensed. They cannot be parked in zones which are reserved for motorcycles, because of space considerations. Instead, they must be parked parallel to the curbs.

Golf carts are technically illegal on city streets because they don’t have the necessary bumpers or windshields to be safe.

FENDER BENDERS
The drivers involved should try to settle their disagreement among themselves at the site of occurrence. If that is not possible, then Transito should be called and an officer will be on the scene…usually within 10 minutes. Damage claims can be filed at the site.

PARKING VIOLATIONS
Legal parking zones are fairly well mapped, and plates can be removed if vehicles are parked in No Parking zones. They can be recovered at the office next to the old Presidencia (on San Francisco Street). First time offenders will pay less than multiple offenders.