From staff reports

Yet another ludicrous Mexican tourist policy should make those who are considering driving there stop in their tracks.

Thursday, October 28, 1999

Yet another ludicrous Mexican tourist policy should make those who are considering driving there stop in their tracks.

The United States’ North American Free Trade Agreement partner to the south will require motorists to pay up to an $800 deposit, refundable upon departure from the country.

The plan is an effort to discourage people from selling U.S.-registered vehicles in Mexico, which deprives the Mexican treasury of duties on new car sales.

Yet, it is one more reason for travelers to be extra cautious.

Another applies to guns.

Currently, about 35 U.S. citizens are incarcerated in Mexican prisons because they drove across the boarder with a weapon in their vehicles.

It does not matter if the weapon is legal in the U.S.

Or whether the driver knows about the gun.

Or whether the driver intended to cross the border, or simply took a wrong turn.

In Mexico, it is a jail, and more likely, prison term that could last many years.

Americans have even crossed into Mexico by accident, at which point they tried to turn around and re-enter the U.S. At least one American is in a Mexican prison regardless, after border officials found a weapon in his vehicle while he was attempting to make the turn-around.

Indeed, the state department, at http://travel.state.gov/mexico.html, warns motorists against entering Mexico with a weapon, &uot;even to turn around.&uot; Better to stop in the middle of a highway, apparently.

Between high crime, especially that targeted against travelers, and archaic laws and punishments regarding even prescription drugs, travel to Mexico, particularly by car, requires a good deal of advance education.

The $800 deposit is just the latest development that should have travelers taking note.