Playa del Carmen to Overhaul Traffic Regulations by 2027

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Playa del Carmen is preparing a new traffic code scheduled to take effect in 2027, featuring updated penalties, new rules for scooters and other micromobility devices, and broader changes aimed at improving urban mobility.

The city’s Traffic Regulations are about 90 percent complete and only need final approval from the Municipal Traffic Department before they can be published, said Javier Renán Santos Morales, a city council member who chairs the Commission on Mobility, Labor and Social Welfare.

“The regulations are in the verification stage, and the Municipal Traffic Department — the body that will ultimately enforce them — is reviewing the final draft. It’s about 90 percent done, and we only need their sign-off to publish and approve it,” Santos said.

The update also covers micromobility vehicles, including the electric scooters that have become a common sight in Playa del Carmen. These devices can reach speeds above 30 km/h (about 19 mph) yet frequently travel along pedestrian sidewalks and other walkways.

Santos said the scooter regulations are also close to being finalized. “We’re at the stage of getting the green light. We’re making progress on several mobility issues, and expanding bus stops and shelters is also a benefit for residents,” he added.

The last major revision to the traffic code took place during the previous municipal administration, when streets and avenues were reconfigured to better match the vehicles using them. New signage was installed at that time, but it has deteriorated over the years, and many of those updated rules are no longer being respected.

Santos emphasized that the changes are intended to benefit Playa del Carmen residents and are not tied to revenue collection. The new code is expected to be implemented during the final months of the current municipal government.