Cancun, Q.R. — Tourist cards for non-local drivers have begun being distributed through car rental agencies of Cancun. The tourist driver card allows non-local drivers two driving infraction warnings.
Drivers who incur minor infractions will be given a warning rather than a fine. The cards, which are digital, are assigned to the rental vehicle driver, which is also where the infractions are kept track.
On the tourist card release day, 5,000 were distributed to established vehicle rental companies in Cancun by the Car Rental Association.
Cancun Mayor, Ana Paty Peralta held a press conference with Alma Elena Reynoso Zambrano, City Councilor and President of the Association of Car Rental Companies and Rodrigo Álcazar, the General Director of the Quintana Roo Mobility Institute (Imoveqroo).
“The implementation of the tourist card will reduce complaints received from tourists who visit us in this city and, above all, maintain a good image of Cancun so that tourists return to their places of origin with the perception that Cancun is a city that takes care of them in addition to providing them with excellent quality service,” Reynoso Zambrano said.
The issuance of the card is also to help combat transit police corruption that has been known to take place with out-of-town drivers.
“The idea is that when a tourist arrives and rents a car, they are given this card. It has two courtesy fines for non-serious offenses. The card has a QR code that links the driver to the municipal traffic regulations in different languages,” Rodrigo Álcazar explained at the press conference.
He said some of the more common sense infractions that will not be forgiven include non-disabled people parking in disabled spaces, driving under the influence of alcohol and accidents that involve third party damage.
Cancun Mayor Ana Paty Peralta clarified that the program is only for Cancun travelers who commit traffic violations considered not serious. She explained that those traveling with a rented car will receive up to two courtesy warnings.
She also said the tourist card will inhibit any act of corruption, a conduct that is not tolerated by public servants in her government.
“We are going to continue strengthening this leading tourist destination. Although we have good numbers, we have to always continue putting ourselves at the forefront. We are a destination that is in high competitiveness at the Central American, Caribbean and global level,” she added.
During the press conference, Rodrigo Alcázar Urrutia said the goal is to establish the card as a public policy in all of the state’s 11 municipalities. The Tourist Card that is currently in effect in Cancun is in coordination with the Association of Vehicle Rental Companies of Quintana Roo.
”Cancun is the first municipality to have the card. This card is a spearhead to work against the fight against corruption among tourists so they feel protected, which will be managed through the rental companies,” he said.
The cards are issued only by established rental companies to avoid piracy. They are outfitted with a QR code so that drivers can consult the Municipal Traffic Regulations first in English. The cards also include the contact information of consuls and diplomatic representatives in the city of Cancun.
