Los Ángeles Verdes

Mexico's free, nationwide roadside assistance program

I don't drive a lot in Mexico. For the most part, I try to live a personal vehicle free life here. Transportation options are so ubiquitous and economical, I've seldom felt the need to have my own set of wheels. That said, there are times when the freedom of the road beckons; when I need to indulge my inner Jack Kerouac and light out for the territories, as our old friend Huckleberry Finn might say (that's two literary references in one sentence, for those of you keeping score at home). At these times, I rent a car and head out - and yes, I know that I ranted against doing exactly that here; I'm fickle, what can I say?

I've never had a bad experience driving in Mexico, but there are some risks:

Citations

Getting pulled over by law enforcement and encouraged to pay for the infraction (real or invented) on the spot is just one of them. If this happens, be polite - don't argue. Apologize for the mistake and tell the officer that you'd like to just be ticketed. If the officer does write you up, you'll just have to go deal with it at the police station the next day, but the fine won't be onerous. If the officer did pull you over hoping to get paid on the spot, once you make it clear that you'd rather pay the ticket at the police station, it is likely the officer will just let you off with a warning.

Driving at night

Inter-city driving at night. Don't do it. There are animals - cattle, sheep, dogs etc - that are more likely to be on the roads at night, enjoying the retained heat radiating from the asphalt. If you hit an animal, neither your car nor the animal will fare well. Get a hotel room.

Welp, I guess that about covers it. There are two risks. Oh wait - I've nearly missed the whole point of this article! Breakdowns. Those are a risk too. Cars are finicky and complicated mechanical things that can't always be relied on to function correctly. In the event that you are out on the road in Mexico, and your vehicle experiences one of these lapses of mechanical reliability (or if you have a medical emergency), enter Los Ángeles Verdes - Mexico's Green Angels.

Who are Los Ángeles Verdes?

Los Ángeles Verdes are a government organization whose job it is to patrol all federal and toll highways in Mexico. They are not patrolling looking for traffic violations - they are looking for motorists who need help. How do they know you need help? Well, you've pulled over onto the side of the road, and you've raised either the hood or the trunk of your car, the universal signal in Mexico that you have broken down and are looking for some assistance.

The Ángeles Verdes are staffed with bi-lingual drivers, who are trained in first aid and auto mechanics. The assistance they provide is free, but they do accept tips. If you need gas or parts for your vehicle, you will of course have to pay for those.

The Ángeles Verdes cover about 60,000 kilometers each day as they patrol the roughly 260 different highway routes that they are assigned to in Mexico. They operate between the hours of 8am and 6pm (yes, another reason to avoid driving at night - the green angels need their sleep, as do you). In addition to assisting with first aid and mechanical issues, they also provide support in disasters, and they will even offer advice on what to see and do in the area when you reach your destination (the Ángeles Verdes are attached to the Ministry of Tourism).

If you find yourself needing the assistance of a green angel or two, you don't need to just sit around fiddling your fingers with your hood open until one happens upon you. A Ángeles Verdes vehicle can be radio dispatched to your location - just call the national dispatch number: 078.

Additional resources and contact information for Los Ángeles Verdes

• Emergency phone number: 078

• Email: angelesverdes@sectur.gob.mx

• Facebook: @AngelesVerdesMex

• Twitter: @AngelesVerdesMx

• Apps: Google Play, iOS

• Website: https://www.gob.mx/sectur%7Cangelesverdes/en

I've never heard of a complaint or a bad experience with the Ángeles Verdes. Actually, the only complaint I've ever heard is: I wish I had known about the green angels. Now you do!