Route dangereuse du Mexique : cartels, braquages et effondrements

The Dangers of Highway 95D

Overview of the Accident

• The narrative begins with a description of Highway 95D in southern Mexico, known for its dangerous curves that challenge drivers' nerves.

• Emergency responders Louis Vargas and Manuel Romero are called to a severe accident involving a vehicle that has fallen into a ravine, reportedly carrying two individuals.

• Upon arrival, they find multiple police and firefighters already on the scene; the vehicle is located at the bottom of the ravine.

Tragic Outcomes

• Two women, identified as Mariana (21 years old) and her mother (43 years old), are confirmed deceased upon arrival; attempts at resuscitation fail.

• The accident occurred due to a reckless maneuver by the driver on a stretch lacking safety barriers, leading to the vehicle tumbling down approximately 200 meters before crashing into a tree.

Recovery Efforts

• A rescue operation commences with responders rappelling down to retrieve the bodies while family members watch in shock.

• The bodies are hoisted up using physical strength, highlighting both the emotional weight of recovery and the tragic loss of life on this perilous road.

Statistics on Road Safety

• In 2021 alone, 335 fatalities were reported on Highway 95D, marking it as one of Mexico's most hazardous roads.

• Mexico ranks poorly in global road safety statistics, with over 14,000 deaths recorded in 2021—four times more than France.

Issues Contributing to Danger

• A significant issue is that since 2003, driving licenses can be purchased legally in certain Mexican states along Highway 95D without any examination.

• This leads to reckless driving behaviors such as speeding and driving under influence among unqualified drivers.

Criminal Activity Along Highway 95D

Drug Trafficking Impact

• The highway runs through Guerrero state, an area plagued by drug trafficking violence between rival cartels.

• Tourists face risks such as kidnappings or being caught in crossfire from criminal activities occurring near the highway.

Law Enforcement Response

• Military police have increased their presence along Highway 95D to combat crime through arrests and drug seizures.

Environmental Hazards

Seasonal Risks

• During rainy seasons (May to September), poor road maintenance combined with heavy rains creates large potholes that can swallow vehicles whole.

Daily Life Along Highway 95D

Police Operations

• Footage captures daily operations where police monitor traffic violations aggressively due to high rates of accidents caused by speeders.

• Commander Luis Francisco Luna leads efforts using portable radar systems to catch speeders exceeding limits set at just over 110 km/h.

Speeding and Driving Regulations in Mexico

Traffic Violation Encounter

• The driver is stopped for speeding at 130 km/h, risking a fine of up to 9900 POS (approximately €465), which is nearly three times the local minimum wage, along with a loss of 3 points from their driving license.

Driver's Defense

• The motorist insists they were driving at a slower speed of 60-70 km/h, claiming that their heavy cargo prevents them from speeding. This raises concerns about safety due to the potential danger posed by loose items in the vehicle.

Lack of Awareness

• Despite being caught speeding, the driver shows no awareness of the severity of their actions, indicating a possible disconnect between behavior and consequences.

Permitting Process in Mexico

• The driver reveals that obtaining a driver's license in Mexico can be as simple as paying for it without taking any tests; this has been the case since 2003 in most states. A license costs around €41 and must be renewed every three years. If all points are lost, one can wait three years to repurchase it legally.

Police Discretion

• Officer Vasquez allows the driver to continue without issuing a ticket due to their cooperative demeanor despite exceeding speed limits significantly. This suggests that compliance may outweigh violations in enforcement practices.

Traffic Safety Measures: Operation Carousel

Innovative Speed Control Strategy

• The National Guard implements "Operation Carousel," where two vehicles drive side by side at maximum speed limits (110 km/h) and gradually reduce speed to force following cars to slow down as well. This operation occurs twice daily on busy highways.

Impact on Traffic Flow

• As part of this synchronized maneuver, approximately 10-12 vehicles form a convoy that restricts overtaking, compelling drivers behind them to maintain lower speeds for safety reasons during long stretches on highways like the Autopista del Sol.

Accident Statistics

• In 2021 alone, there were significant fatalities (63 deaths) attributed primarily to speeding on this highway segment; thus, reducing speeds through such operations aims to prevent accidents effectively. Since January 2022, accidents have decreased by 10% compared to previous years due to these measures.

Alcohol-related Incidents on Mexican Roads

Nightlife and Risky Behavior

• As night falls over major cities like Mexico City during weekends, many individuals engage in excessive drinking and then choose to drive home despite knowing the risks involved—this behavior leads to tragic outcomes frequently seen across Mexican roads.

Alarming Statistics

• In 2021, nearly 5400 fatalities occurred from alcohol-related traffic incidents in Mexico—five times more than similar statistics reported in France—highlighting an urgent public safety issue regarding drunk driving behaviors among motorists here.

Notable Accidents

• A shocking incident from 2017 illustrates severe consequences when an intoxicated driver traveling at high speeds crashed into an electric pole after consuming excessive alcohol; four out of five passengers died instantly due to reckless driving under influence conditions prevalent within society today.

Police Operations Against Drunk Driving in Mexico

Overview of Police Checkpoints

• Authorities are intensifying controls to combat drunk driving, with a significant police presence on the roads around Mexico City.

• A major checkpoint is established at the start of the 95D highway, crucial for those traveling on the Sun Highway.

• Captain Santiago Machuka leads operations aimed at identifying drivers exceeding legal alcohol limits, which is set at 0.40 mg per liter of exhaled air.

Legal Differences in Alcohol Limits

• The legal limit in Mexico is nearly double that of France; exceeding it results in an automatic loss of six points from one's driving license.

• Unlike France, there is no immediate suspension of driving privileges for offenders in Mexico.

Enforcement and Consequences

• Drivers suspected of intoxication undergo enhanced testing using electronic breathalyzers, which require proper technique to yield valid results.

• A driver found with a blood alcohol level over the limit faces immediate arrest and potential penalties including up to three days in jail and fines up to €1200.

Vehicle Confiscation Policies

• Vehicles driven by intoxicated individuals are confiscated immediately under Mexican law, with no alternative arrangements allowed for passengers or family members.

• The emotional response from family members highlights public frustration regarding strict enforcement measures.

Impact on Public Safety

• Captain Machuka emphasizes that strict enforcement saves lives by preventing potential accidents caused by impaired drivers.

• In February 2022 alone, 2200 drunk drivers were apprehended during nighttime operations—double compared to the previous year.

Nighttime Driving Hazards

• The 95D highway poses significant risks due to poor lighting conditions between 9 PM and 7 AM, contributing to a high rate of nighttime accidents.

Emergency Response Challenges

• Emergency responders face critical situations when attending accidents involving intoxicated drivers; swift action is necessary to prevent further injury or death.

• Injured individuals often suffer severe trauma requiring careful handling during transport to medical facilities.

Accident and Its Aftermath on the 95D

The Incident

• Alfonso, the brother of the driver involved in an accident, expresses concern after learning that no ambulance arrived despite witnesses calling for help around 20:30.

• At 22:20, Alfonso seeks information from a witness who reveals that a heavy truck collided with his brother's vehicle, pushing it into parked cars.

Emergency Response

• In the ambulance, Stephanie, a paramedic, administers IV fluids to control bleeding and keeps the victim conscious by engaging him in conversation.

• The victim recounts how he was trapped in the vehicle due to pressure from the door; this exacerbated his injuries which include multiple serious fractures.

Victim's Condition

• The man is transported to emergency services where he undergoes surgery for skull and femur injuries and faces a month-long hospitalization followed by extensive rehabilitation.

Impact on Local Business: Santa Trinidad's Struggles

The Florist's Experience

• Santa Trinidad, a florist whose stall was hit by the pickup truck, describes her ongoing struggles since she has been operating her family business for nearly 40 years.

• Despite regular accidents near her stall on the busy road without protection measures in place, she continues to sell flowers at competitive prices.

Economic Consequences

• Santa Trinidad highlights that many customers buy flowers last minute before traveling but acknowledges the danger of stopping at her location.

• She expresses fear about her safety as vehicles speed past at high speeds while she works daily.

Damage Assessment

• Following the accident caused by the pickup truck, significant damage occurred to her plants leading to substantial financial losses estimated at 10,000 pesos (approximately €430).

Broader Context: Safety Concerns Along Highway 95D

Drug Trafficking Issues

• As travelers approach Acapulco along Highway 95D, they face dangers not only from traffic accidents but also from drug cartel violence prevalent in Guerrero state.

Criminal Activity Impacting Tourists

• Reports indicate frequent shootouts between rival gangs along this highway pose risks to motorists; incidents of kidnapping have been documented as well.

Recent Incidents Highlighting Danger

• A video from 2018 shows armed men forcibly abducting two drivers on Highway 95D. Additionally, tourists faced chaos during a carjacking incident in April 2019.

Guardia Nacional Operations Against Drug Trafficking

Overview of Operations

• The Guardia Nacional, led by Commander Vladimir Mendoza, conducts aggressive operations against drug traffickers and criminal groups, utilizing a team of 25 police officers to inspect vehicles.

• In Guerrero state alone, authorities seized 80 tons of cocaine in 2021, highlighting the scale of drug trafficking in the region.

Vehicle Inspections

• Every vehicle is thoroughly searched for hidden compartments; even seemingly empty trucks are inspected for potential drug concealment.

• Traffickers have been known to use magnets to attach cocaine packages under vehicles, making routine checks critical for uncovering illicit substances.

Targeting Buses

• Buses are also a primary target during inspections as they can transport multiple passengers who may act as mules for drug cartels.

• Officers focus on solo travelers during inspections due to their higher likelihood of carrying drugs; thorough searches are conducted on all luggage.

Ongoing Vigilance

• Despite thorough inspections yielding no findings this time, the threat remains high with ongoing violence from drug-related conflicts resulting in over 1,650 deaths in Guerrero in 2021.

Infrastructure Challenges: The Soavon Phenomenon

Road Safety Concerns

• The "soavon" or sinkholes pose significant risks on highways like the 95D due to heavy rains that weaken clay soils leading to road collapses.

• Between 2017 and 2022, there were approximately 400 reported sinkholes affecting infrastructure and safety.

Notable Incidents

• A dramatic incident occurred on July 12, 2017, when a sinkhole opened unexpectedly at dawn, swallowing a car with two occupants inside.

Rescue Efforts

• First responders faced challenges due to inadequate equipment; initial rescue attempts were hindered by unstable ground conditions around the sinkhole.

• After an hour's delay waiting for proper equipment like cranes, rescuers could finally begin extracting victims trapped underground.

The Tragic Incident of the Vehicle Extraction

Attempt to Rescue the Vehicle

• A crane operator descends to locate and extract a vehicle buried in the ground, but visibility is poor as only dirt surrounds the area.

• The ground has collapsed significantly, creating a 12-meter wide and 8-meter deep sinkhole that threatens further instability, making rescue efforts increasingly dangerous.

Aftermath of the Rescue Operation

• Eight hours later, a larger crane successfully extracts the vehicle from the sinkhole; however, it is too late for two passengers who are found dead due to asphyxiation.

• Since this incident, numerous vehicles have been swallowed by similar sinkholes on Highway 95D, with some passengers rescued in time.

Political Unrest at Toll Booths

Student Protests Against Government Funding Cuts

• The toll booth near Acapulco has become a site of violent confrontations between local students protesting against state funding cuts and law enforcement.

• Students have attempted to bypass toll fees for seven years as a form of protest against decreasing government subsidies.

Escalation of Tensions

• On one occasion, students retaliated against police resistance by launching an unmanned truck into the toll booth at high speed, causing property damage but no injuries.

Current Situation at Toll Booth

• Students return to seize control of the toll booth again, demanding voluntary contributions from drivers instead of fixed fees set by the state.

• Led by a student known as Tornios, they aim to raise funds for their school amid drastic reductions in government support over ten years.

Financial Struggles and Community Support

Funding Challenges Faced by Students

• With state funding dropping from €20 million to €4 million over ten years, students express concerns about maintaining essential services like classrooms and dormitories.

Government's Passive Stance

• Despite these protests and actions taken by students, authorities choose not to intervene aggressively due to past incidents that drew public outrage.

Public Sympathy Towards Student Actions

Growing Support Among Motorists

• Many motorists sympathize with student struggles regarding insufficient educational funding from the government.

• Each protest operation generates significant revenue for students—approximately €24,000 per event—highlighting their reliance on these actions for school financing.

Commitment to Continued Activism

• Students vow to persist in their protests until their needs are acknowledged and addressed by authorities.

Risks Faced by Bikers on Dangerous Roads

Life-Threatening Conditions for Motorcyclists

• In 2021 alone, 430 motorcyclists were severely injured on Mexico's "Highway of Sun," illustrating its dangers.

Passionate Riders' Experiences

• Marco shares his love for speed while riding his powerful BMW1000 motorcycle along popular biker routes. He emphasizes safety gear's importance despite discomfort during rides.

Motorcycle Culture and Danger on the PA

The Thrill of Riding

• Marco expresses excitement as he prepares to ride with friends, likening motorcycle riding to a drug.

• They accelerate towards 250 km/h on a highway where the speed limit is 110 km/h, showcasing their thrill-seeking behavior.

The Dangerous PA Curve

• The group approaches the infamous "PA" curve, known for its danger among bikers; it has claimed many lives due to excessive speed.

• A tragic incident from 2015 is recounted where two bikers lost control at high speeds, resulting in fatal consequences.

A Notorious Tragedy

• In August 2021, a catastrophic accident occurred involving four bikers colliding with a stationary truck while traveling at 160 km/h.

• The aftermath was devastating: six bikers died, nine were severely injured, and multiple vehicles were involved in the crash.

Reckless Behavior Continues

• Despite previous tragedies, Marco continues to ride recklessly at nearly double the speed limit (150 km/h), emphasizing his love for adrenaline.

• After enjoying their ride, Marco and his friends indulge in alcohol at Tress Marias, a popular biker destination.

Consequences of Alcohol and Speed

• Marco acknowledges that drinking can help ease tension while riding but recognizes the potential dangers of combining alcohol with high speeds.

• George Louis shares his experience as a survivor of a severe motorcycle accident that left him physically scarred and reliant on family support during recovery.

Personal Accounts of Injury

• George Louis's mother keeps his damaged protective gear as a reminder of the violent nature of motorcycle accidents.

• He recounts how losing control while weaving through traffic led to an impactful collision that resulted in serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment.

Rehabilitation Journey of Georget Louis

Struggles with Pain and Rehabilitation

• Georget Louis is undergoing rehabilitation exercises with his cousin Oscar, a professional podiatrist. He experiences significant pain in his right leg during muscle stimulation exercises.

• Georget expresses that he feels pain every day of the week, highlighting the intensity of his discomfort, particularly from cramps in his knee and ankle.

• The daily struggle to manage his body and pain is described as a constant battle for Georget, emphasizing the emotional toll of chronic pain.

• Despite these challenges, Georget harbors a secret dream of riding a motorcycle again and facing the daunting Route 95 in Mexico, showcasing his desire for freedom and adventure despite physical limitations.

• The narrative illustrates not only the physical aspects of rehabilitation but also the psychological resilience required to cope with ongoing pain and pursue personal dreams.