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Vacation Safety: Mayhem in Mexico

By Megan Roth

Yesterday I touched on a few of the safety issues surrounding those oh-so-crazy Spring Break trips. There's the potential for one to sustain an injury in so many ways.

And though alcohol often plays a factor in such situations, such isn't always the case. This year, parents and government officials have a different subject on their safety radar: drug wars.

As mentioned a few days ago, Mexico's border towns are becoming more and more risky and the crimes against Americans that occur there are becoming increasingly prevalent and severe. But what about the towns deep within the country? What about the lofty resorts that will no doubt be overflowing with scantily-clad college coeds?

There's been a recent surge in drug cartel killings throughout the country, which puts vacationers at risk. Governmental officials have recognized this risk and, on February 20, the U.S. Department of State issued a safety advisory warning potential travel-goers of the potential for harm.

The advisory isn't suggesting Americans boycott Mexico altogether, but rather that they follow certain safety procedures and stick to the road more often traveled (literally) in order to keep them as far from harm's way as possible.

Yet, despite this recent warning, many of the 100,000 Americans that go to Mexico for spring break each year are still going and are knowingly placing themselves in situations where the potential to sustain an injury from drug-related violence exists.

Usually such cases of drug-related violence and killings take place away from the destination resorts; however, vacationers are still at risk (just last month a related murder took place just outside Cancun. And this isn't the only instance of crime occurring near the resorts).

The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives reports there's been documented violence in which innocent people have been injured (or killed) as collateral damage.

Mexico's head of Tourist Police (which is separate from its regular police force) states 'my job is to make sure these young people have a good time.' To me, this statement is worrisome in and of itself, especially considering that two of his former officers are accused of raping an American tourist.

Why isn't he stating, 'my job is to protect these young people and keep them safe from harm as best we're able?'

Perhaps because, despite the increased potential for harm due to drug-related violence, college students are still their own worst enemy in terms of dangerous actions known to inflict harm. Fights, rape, accidents and other alcohol-induced behaviors still top the list of injury-causing behaviors on spring break. Once again, kids, we take the cake…

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Megan Roth

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on March 10, 2009 (boomark / email).