Loud Exhausts and Safety Concerns in Tulum: A Resident’s Perspective

It’s been almost four months since the municipal public security secretariat launched an operation to target motorcycles with altered exhausts in Tulum. Yet, the noise levels seem no different. Residents like Mariano Sosa Dorantes are reporting increased motorcycle noise, with the same units involved in crashes.

On May 14, the operation was launched with a fine of approximately 1,575 pesos and a grace period. However, enforcement has apparently stopped, and the checks are not being maintained, as Eduardo Cruz points out. 'What good are regulations if the residents ignore them and the authorities ignore them? Then regulations like these do not exist,' he says.

Edgar Aguilar Rico, the municipal public security secretary, stated that a truce was given to owners to correct the situation before the checks began. However, residents are still witnessing the same noise and crashes. Mariano Sosa Dorantes wants specific controls on motorcycles, covering noise, riding practices, and road safety.

The municipal traffic regulation prohibits altering mufflers and installing devices that raise a vehicle's noise, while Article 25 of Tulum's civic justice regulation treats the use of instruments producing noise that disturbs the peace or the health of others as an administrative offense.