Spring break marks the halfway point in the semester, where students have survived midterms and are looking forward to a week of freedom. Regardless of desentation, safety is a recurring issue during the mid-March break.
Drinking is the cause for most of the concern over safety. According to a University of Wisconsin study, 75 percent of college males and 43.6 percent of females reported being intoxicated on a daily basis during spring break. About 50 percent of students reported being drunk to the point of vomiting or passing out at least once during break.
“I would tell travelers to keep their heads about them when traveling, especially if you are drinking,” Elliott Haifleigh said.
According to Flordia’s state laws, if pulled over and there is an open container of alcohol in the car, the driver, the passenger or both can be given a ticket.
Haifleigh is an accounting and Spanish double major is traveling to Cabo with a group of friends for the break. Haifleigh, who frequently travels during spring break, finds catching cabs in Cabo stressful.
“Best part is getting there and the worst part is going through customs,” Haifleigh said. “Takes forever.”
Cabo San Lucas, on the tip of Baja, is “one of the safer places in Mexico for foreign tourists,” according to a recent Forbes article.
Haifleigh emphasizes the importance of staying in groups “because even though Mexico is so Americanized, it is still Mexico and bad things do happen.”
The U.S Department of State released these five tips for students during the break:
- Avoid underage and excessive alcohol consumption. “Overdoing it” can lead to an arrest, accident, violent crime, or death.
- Obey all local laws, and remember they might be different from our own. Don’t carry or use drugs, as this can result in severe penalties. Don’t carry weapons. Even possessing something as small as a pocketknife or a single bullet can cause legal trouble.
- Before leaving for a trip, learn as much as possible about the destination at studentsabroad.state.gov. Information about entry requirements, crime, health precautions, and road conditions can be found.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This program keeps students up-to-date with important safety and security announcements, such as Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and security messages.
- Keep in touch with parents. If without Internet or phone service for a few days, notify parents.
If one is traveling abroad and encounters an emergency, he or she should contact the nearest American embassy.
