I have appreciated the topes as a pedestrian in Mexico. Here in Puerto Rico we seem to do the opposite and have many potholes to slow you down. It's a joke here that the police will pull you over if you drive straight down the street because you must be really drunk not to swerve around the potholes.
It is interesting how countries that seem more "3rd world" seem to have more traffic barriers and general inefficiencies. It appears to me that there is more resistance to inefficiencies in general in more "developed" countries like US. While you point to MX and US, I have a sense that this is beyond those two countries and is a pattern in more economically developed countries in general and there is a difference between these types of countries in terms of the expectations around efficiency that drives it. It reminds me of when I lived in MX briefly. I was shocked how hard it was to do some basic things, like get our propane tank filled, or get a cell phone, or sign up for a class at a local business. I had to go in person, often it was confusing where to go, then get a note with the amount I needed to pay, then go to a bank and pay it, then take the receipt back to the business. It felt like the craziest system and could take half a day to pay for something. I could not keep my pace of work up, and really had to take time off of work to just manage "life". It seems the tope represents a larger pattern in the US (or developed countries) that is tied to cultural expectations. Expectations that businesses and processes are efficient, and prioritize making it easy for customers. If it is cumbersome then the business won't survive, and citizens have generally more intolerance of being "slowed down". In MX I feel residents naturally have less anxiety or worry about how long things take and an acceptance of "road blocks" as just the way it is. I think that was my biggest shock in moving there (this was back 10 years ago, so things may have changed some). I hope with the economic success that MX is starting to realize, does not change this part of the culture - the one where you work to live, instead of living to work, and just accept inefficiency as part of life and learn to enjoy the ride regardless.
Interesting relating these physical road blocks to the bureaucratic road blocks when dealing with businesses or the government. It's a great analogy - thanks for highlighting it!
Totally agree. The topes do work! But probably very little chance of seeing more in the US. As you point out the automobile rules in the States. Mostly.
Oh yeah, they would never be tolerated in the US. It would be political suicide for an elected official to even hint at putting in infrastructure to slow down traffic, even though studies have definitively pointed out the fact that slower traffic means less accidents.
The number of topes shocked me when I moved to Chiapas. It feels ridiculous. I was even complaining about them earlier today. But you're completely right. It is safer to walk along the streets because of them. I should try to keep that in mind next time I'm on the road.
Like most people who ever drove in Mexico, I suppose, I have mixed feelings about topes in Mexico: of course they can be annoying, especially the tall ones with no markings, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. However, I agree with your point: they are a great reminder for drivers to pay attention, to slow down, to see locals, and often even interact with them. I noticed over the years while driving through Mexico, that you can generally expect to find one at the entrance and one at the exit of all towns and villages; and I always appreciate them. Another effect of topes is that you'll often see locals stand by them, trying to sell you something. While this may be annoying sometimes, I also remember being grateful when I could buy fresh fruit from them, without having to drive off the main road in search for it. Even when they don't actually stand by the tope, locals often out up fruit stands near them. While you slow down for the tope, you notice them and you can stop if you want.
They are part of Mexico's culture, and we should all appreciate them.
Thanks for the post; I enjoyed it, especially put into perspective compared to the US.
My favorite tope (if one can have a fave) was when I was living in Monterrey where the across the street neighbor had a few .... uh.. well turned out... teenage daughters. Dad -- being in the construction biz -- didn't need no stinkin' permit to spoil the fun of the juniors who'd come thru afternoons and evening for drive-by serenades featuring the car stereo at ear-shattering levels. A lot less juniors hanging around may not have been the intended result, but certainly a positive one.
Topes are a great reminder for drivers to pay attention. If you need to pay attention to topes, potholes and hard to find traffic signs, then you’re more likely to see pedestrians or cyclists.
Yes! They create a culture of awareness amongst drivers, an invitation to watch the road and not the TikTok video playing on your phone. Thanks for the comment, Brighton!
In MX, a way of life. We just try to remember where they are, especially when on a less-traveled road, before up in the air for a couple annoying seconds. Also diff from US are the round-abouts. Good post.
My tope thoughts are that they are a pain, but a necessary one. Even though I drive a route here frequently, I sometimes forget about one of the topes. They blend in, are not painted, and are made from the same stones as the street. Well, this particular street is rough as it is, so when I miss seeing a tope, it's not too bad because I'm already going pretty slow.
My visiting brother (god rest his common sense) turned up his nose at topes and declared that they should just put a cop standing there.
I ride a small motorcycle, too, and so prefer the ledge topes. The little half spheres are more difficult to navigate, as you mention.
There's a street nearby that had three topes in less than 100 meters. They added 2 more. I suspect they probably had leftover asphalt from something else :)
End tope thoughts for now. I'll leave out my stateside thoughts, as you've covered that nicely. Thanks for the fun article, Mike.
Good point about the cobblestone streets already doing the job of slowing down cars. Sometimes, topes on already quite rough cobblestone roads just seem like adding insult to injury. On the other hand, best to just accept it and move - er, drive - on. We'll be replacing the shock absorbers soon enough. Thanks for the comment, Victor!
I have appreciated the topes as a pedestrian in Mexico. Here in Puerto Rico we seem to do the opposite and have many potholes to slow you down. It's a joke here that the police will pull you over if you drive straight down the street because you must be really drunk not to swerve around the potholes.
That's hilarious. Mexico employs the pothole strategy as well - many tools in its tool belt!
It is interesting how countries that seem more "3rd world" seem to have more traffic barriers and general inefficiencies. It appears to me that there is more resistance to inefficiencies in general in more "developed" countries like US. While you point to MX and US, I have a sense that this is beyond those two countries and is a pattern in more economically developed countries in general and there is a difference between these types of countries in terms of the expectations around efficiency that drives it. It reminds me of when I lived in MX briefly. I was shocked how hard it was to do some basic things, like get our propane tank filled, or get a cell phone, or sign up for a class at a local business. I had to go in person, often it was confusing where to go, then get a note with the amount I needed to pay, then go to a bank and pay it, then take the receipt back to the business. It felt like the craziest system and could take half a day to pay for something. I could not keep my pace of work up, and really had to take time off of work to just manage "life". It seems the tope represents a larger pattern in the US (or developed countries) that is tied to cultural expectations. Expectations that businesses and processes are efficient, and prioritize making it easy for customers. If it is cumbersome then the business won't survive, and citizens have generally more intolerance of being "slowed down". In MX I feel residents naturally have less anxiety or worry about how long things take and an acceptance of "road blocks" as just the way it is. I think that was my biggest shock in moving there (this was back 10 years ago, so things may have changed some). I hope with the economic success that MX is starting to realize, does not change this part of the culture - the one where you work to live, instead of living to work, and just accept inefficiency as part of life and learn to enjoy the ride regardless.
Interesting relating these physical road blocks to the bureaucratic road blocks when dealing with businesses or the government. It's a great analogy - thanks for highlighting it!
Totally agree. The topes do work! But probably very little chance of seeing more in the US. As you point out the automobile rules in the States. Mostly.
Oh yeah, they would never be tolerated in the US. It would be political suicide for an elected official to even hint at putting in infrastructure to slow down traffic, even though studies have definitively pointed out the fact that slower traffic means less accidents.
Cheap traffic control, better than a hiring several traffic policemen.
Agreed, Mario. An effective use of resources.
The number of topes shocked me when I moved to Chiapas. It feels ridiculous. I was even complaining about them earlier today. But you're completely right. It is safer to walk along the streets because of them. I should try to keep that in mind next time I'm on the road.
Yes, they obviously annoy me too - and I have to consciously remember to thank them for making the streets safer for me and my bike!
Like most people who ever drove in Mexico, I suppose, I have mixed feelings about topes in Mexico: of course they can be annoying, especially the tall ones with no markings, seemingly in the middle of nowhere. However, I agree with your point: they are a great reminder for drivers to pay attention, to slow down, to see locals, and often even interact with them. I noticed over the years while driving through Mexico, that you can generally expect to find one at the entrance and one at the exit of all towns and villages; and I always appreciate them. Another effect of topes is that you'll often see locals stand by them, trying to sell you something. While this may be annoying sometimes, I also remember being grateful when I could buy fresh fruit from them, without having to drive off the main road in search for it. Even when they don't actually stand by the tope, locals often out up fruit stands near them. While you slow down for the tope, you notice them and you can stop if you want.
They are part of Mexico's culture, and we should all appreciate them.
Thanks for the post; I enjoyed it, especially put into perspective compared to the US.
Great point about how topes contribute to local economies, Emese-Réka! Thank you for reading, and for your comment.
So true. "Topes" was one of the first Spanish words I learned in real life in Mexico.
lol - it is definitely one of the most important Spanish words in Mexico!
My favorite tope (if one can have a fave) was when I was living in Monterrey where the across the street neighbor had a few .... uh.. well turned out... teenage daughters. Dad -- being in the construction biz -- didn't need no stinkin' permit to spoil the fun of the juniors who'd come thru afternoons and evening for drive-by serenades featuring the car stereo at ear-shattering levels. A lot less juniors hanging around may not have been the intended result, but certainly a positive one.
Topes minus the red tape - love it!
Topes are a great reminder for drivers to pay attention. If you need to pay attention to topes, potholes and hard to find traffic signs, then you’re more likely to see pedestrians or cyclists.
Yes! They create a culture of awareness amongst drivers, an invitation to watch the road and not the TikTok video playing on your phone. Thanks for the comment, Brighton!
In MX, a way of life. We just try to remember where they are, especially when on a less-traveled road, before up in the air for a couple annoying seconds. Also diff from US are the round-abouts. Good post.
Topes are annoying, roundabouts are scary 🙂. That's always been my perspective (even though now I'm more tolerant of the topes...)
My tope thoughts are that they are a pain, but a necessary one. Even though I drive a route here frequently, I sometimes forget about one of the topes. They blend in, are not painted, and are made from the same stones as the street. Well, this particular street is rough as it is, so when I miss seeing a tope, it's not too bad because I'm already going pretty slow.
My visiting brother (god rest his common sense) turned up his nose at topes and declared that they should just put a cop standing there.
I ride a small motorcycle, too, and so prefer the ledge topes. The little half spheres are more difficult to navigate, as you mention.
There's a street nearby that had three topes in less than 100 meters. They added 2 more. I suspect they probably had leftover asphalt from something else :)
End tope thoughts for now. I'll leave out my stateside thoughts, as you've covered that nicely. Thanks for the fun article, Mike.
Good point about the cobblestone streets already doing the job of slowing down cars. Sometimes, topes on already quite rough cobblestone roads just seem like adding insult to injury. On the other hand, best to just accept it and move - er, drive - on. We'll be replacing the shock absorbers soon enough. Thanks for the comment, Victor!