### Safety Checkpoint at Border Not Required, Say Commuters
As December kicks off and festive holidays approach, the border crossing traffic towards the United States has surged significantly. Commuters, traveling for work, vacation, or family visits, report wait times extending to up to two hours.
According to Don Beto, a veteran newspaper vendor in the area, the all-traffic lanes are notably congested compared to Sentry and Ready Lane. “This time of year always sees more vehicles. Thanksgiving and December holidays create more traffic,” he explains. Despite busy periods, he suggests that crossing times can occasionally be favorable, depending on the time of day. “You might get lucky and cross in 15 minutes or end up waiting two hours.”
Many motorists, like Beto, indicate a need for better infrastructure. “There should be more lanes open. Currently, there are only two at Sentry. More lanes would ease the traffic considerably.”
Oscar Estrada, a U.S. security guard crossing the border daily, experienced a two-hour wait on December 2nd at 9:00 a.m., though he notes quicker crossings at alternative hours. “I’ve crossed in 40 minutes in the evening or 90 minutes during the early morning,” he notes, describing these times as popular for both workers and students.
A recently implemented security checkpoint on November 28th in Tijuana has been considered unnecessary by many, including Oscar, who advocates for more lanes rather than additional security measures. Similarly, Martha, an Amazon employee who crosses four times weekly, shares her frustration at spending over an hour in line. She criticizes the security checks for wasting time without increasing safety.
“Minions”, or individuals accepting bribes for allowing others to cut the line, further exacerbate the problem. Martha emphasizes this, pointing out that their actions delay the process at the Ready Lane significantly. Rogelio, a 68-year-old retiree from Rosarito, echoes the call for more lanes and controlling such queue-jumping behaviors. “This would greatly speed up the crossing,” he suggests.
With an anticipated increase in traffic as the year-end festivities grow closer, drivers advocate for expanding crossing facilities and stricter enforcement on illegal crossings to reduce wait times.
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### **Secondary Article: Border Traffic and Safety Concerns**
The holiday season traditionally brings an uptick in border crossings at various ports along the U.S.-Mexico boundary. Immense queues and waiting times become inevitable, as was noted in recent reports from motorists and daily commuters. According to border officials, the rise in traffic is typical for this time of year, with efforts being made to manage and improve vehicular flow.
Aside from opening additional lanes, introducing technological enhancements could augment border operations, officials stated in recent interviews. Tablets and centralized communication systems are under consideration to streamline processes, reducing the instances of congestion.
Despite these efforts, individuals such as Mohammed Ahmed, another frequent border commuter, advocate for a more systematic approach in managing checkpoints. “Automating the process with pre-clearance systems could mitigate human errors and speed up the cross-border experience,” he suggested.
As the border communities continue to engage with authorities in dialogues for improvement, a shared emphasis on quicker yet secure crossings remains the common goal. With developments on the horizon, travelers are hopeful for an improved experience in future holiday seasons.