Mexicali Mayor Norma Bustamante Martínez announced a ban on Razer-type off-road vehicles from city streets as part of a broader crackdown on traffic safety in the Baja California capital. The new measures also target so-called “Infinity” model vehicles that lack proper documentation, which will be pulled from circulation.
The restrictions aim to reduce traffic accidents in Mexicali, where undocumented and non-street-legal vehicles have become a growing concern. Razer-style UTVs (utility task vehicles), popular for off-road recreation, are not designed or certified for use on public roads. Under the new rules, drivers caught operating them on city streets will face enforcement action.
Higher Fines on the Way
Bustamante Martínez said the city plans to raise traffic fines alongside the vehicle ban, though specific fine amounts have not yet been disclosed. Currently, most traffic fines in Baja California run under $25 to $50 USD for common violations. Any increase would mark a notable shift for a border city where enforcement has historically been relatively lenient.
The Infinity vehicles targeted by the measure are typically older, imported cars that circulate without Mexican registration, insurance, or emissions verification. These unregistered vehicles, sometimes called “chocolate cars” in Mexican slang, are common in border cities like Mexicali, Tijuana, and Ensenada. Removing them from the road has been a recurring priority for Baja California officials.
A Trend Across Mexico
Mexicali is not alone in targeting Razer-type vehicles. In early April, Mazatlán’s municipal president, Estrella Palacios, ordered restrictions limiting Razer circulation to coastal areas with strict speed controls. Mazatlán authorities cited noise complaints, traffic congestion, and accident risks from recreational vehicles on public roads. The parallel crackdowns point to a growing national concern over off-road vehicles mixing with regular traffic.
For anyone driving in Mexicali, the practical takeaway is straightforward: keep vehicle registration, insurance, and import documents current. Off-road vehicles like Razers, side-by-sides, and similar UTVs should stay off paved city roads. Drivers of unregistered vehicles risk having their cars impounded.
Mexicali sits directly across the border from Calexico, California, and draws significant cross-border traffic daily. The city’s transit police will be responsible for enforcing the new rules, though a timeline for implementation has not been confirmed.
The announcement was first reported by Zeta Tijuana.