As a relatively recent resident of San
Felipe I would like to comment on what I believe to be
a key barrier to future civic improvement and economic
growth of this beautiful place that my wife and I have
chosen to call home.
I refer to the fact that "quad" type motor
vehicles seem to have the run of the town. Indeed, as
I am writing this on Memorial Day weekend, an excellent
example is at hand.
The hundreds of quads that are driven through town in
a fast and reckless manner threaten the serenity and safety
of the townspeople in many ways. For example, small children
are unsafe in front of their own homes, since the quads
are are commonly driven in a reckless manner and at unsafe
speeds. A child in the street is in imminent danger of
being run down by the quads. In fact, since children who
are untrained and unlicensed drivers, often drive the
quads, it is easy to imagine a tragic accident. By this
I mean a child driving a quad running down another child
on foot.
Moreover, although quads are illegal on the beach, they
nevertheless are. This presents another safety problem
since  the
operators typically show no concern for the safety or
tranquility of beach goers. Rather, they indulge their
own individual pleasures by driving their machines on
the beaches in a manner to disturb anyone not on a quad,
which is to say, the big majority of beach goers.
In addition to presenting an obvious safety hazard, the
incredible noise created by these machines is a public
nuisance to the large majority of residents who do not
operate them.
It is informative to note that in real estate developments
near San Felipe, such as Eldorado Ranch and Playa De Oro,
quads are not permitted. Nor are they permitted in any
town or city where vehicular safety is a priority. For
example, in Mexicali, quads are certainly not permitted
on city streets.
Why then are quads so rampant in San Felipe? I suggest
that the answer to this question is not flattering to
many Americans who come here on vacation with their quads
in tow. That is to say, there is an ugly tradition in
the United States that vacationers to Mexico may do pretty
much as they please, without regard to the cultural, legal,
environmental or moral restrictions that are present at
home. I suggest that the problem of reckless quads in
San Felipe is a manifestation of this larger disregard
that too many Americans seem to demonstrate for this beautiful
place and
its people. The common American mentality seems to be,
"I'll do as I damn well please.. after all I
am in Mexico. If this includes presenting a safety
hazard and public nuisance, what do I care?"
Why does San Felipe allow this to continue? Why do the
authorities not regulate this problem as so many other
Mexican towns and cities have done? Part of the answer,
I believe, is that up to this point in time, San Felipe
has allowed itself to be victimized by this reckless disregard
for public safety, cultural respect and common courtesy
which too many Americans demonstrate. Many people in San
Felipe believe that if restrictions on quads on the streets
and beaches were enforced, tourists would stop coming
here. I believe that this view, though understandable,
is short-sighted and ultimately incorrect for several
reasons. First of all, tracks and courses for quads could
be developed in appropriate locations in the sand dunes
and desert. Fees could be charged for using these courses
and tracks. The courses could vary from beginner type
tracks to advanced technical courses so that all levels
of quad operators could be accommodated. Businesses could
rent quads at these locations. Operator training could
be provided. Safety regulations could be enforced.
Even more importantly, if the quads were no longer permitted
on city streets and beaches, more tourists would travel
here to enjoy the natural beauty of San Felipe. This beauty
would be far more attractive without the assault on the
tranquility and the danger presented by quads on the streets
and beaches. More people would prefer to vacation in San
Felipe if the quads were not allowed to remain a constant
insult to the senses as well as a safety hazard. Once
the quads were restricted and the word of this improvement
in the tranquility of the environment worked its way through
tourist communities, San Felipe would see a significant
rise in its tourist industry.
I respectfully suggest that the municipal authorities
in Mexicali which oversees San Felipe together with local
authorities, both administrative and police, give serious
consideration to putting a stop to the dangerous and disrespectful
behavior that quad drivers demonstrate. Such a change
in law and its enforcement would provide an important
step in the civic improvement, public safety and economic
progress of this beautiful and charming town. All Baja
California and San Felipe residents would be well served
by such a change.
Tom Cooke
San Felipe
Baja California
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