Severe restrictions on today's double no-circulation: what you need to know about the February environmental contingency

In mid-February, the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (ZMVM) faced one of the worst air quality crises of the year, with six consecutive days of critical pollution. In response, environmental authorities implemented new emergency measures, including the “double no-drive today” restriction, which would be extended for several days. The Megalopolis Environmental Commission (CAMe) imposed strict vehicle circulation restrictions as part of Phase 1 of the environmental contingency, a necessary response to contain the spread of pollutants in the region.

Critical pollution levels: why was the “double no-drive today” activated?

The main cause of this environmental crisis was an anticyclonic current that created very particular weather conditions. High temperatures, intense solar radiation, and a drastic decrease in wind speed were key factors preventing the natural dispersion of pollutants. Ozone, identified as the primary culprit behind critical pollution levels, accumulated in the atmosphere without dispersing.

According to reports from the National Water Commission (Conagua), the lack of natural ventilation in CDMX and the State of Mexico facilitated the suspension of pollutants in the air. Throughout February 16, most of the 19 monitoring points in the region reported very high readings. Additionally, this crisis coincided with the start of the ozone season, which extends from mid-February to early July, a period characterized by conditions that favor pollutant accumulation before the arrival of rains.

Restricted vehicles: classification under the “double no-drive today”

The “double no-drive today” on February 17 established differentiated restrictions based on vehicle type and environmental classification. Between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., various private vehicles were excluded from circulation:

Vehicles with a verification hologram type 2 were completely restricted. Also included were those with a type 1 hologram whose license plate ended in an even number (2, 4, 6, 8, 0) or in 7. Vehicles with hologram 0 and 00, identified with pink stickers or plates ending in 7 or 8, faced the same limitations.

Vehicles without a verification hologram — old vehicles, transport vehicles, new display vehicles, tourist passes, foreign plates, or alphanumeric identifications — faced restrictions equivalent to those with hologram 2. This measure aimed to ensure fairness in applying the “double no-drive today” without allowing unjustified exceptions.

Special sectors and different schedules

In addition to private transportation, the “double no-drive today” included restrictions for other sectors. Authorized LP gas distributors had to reduce their circulation by 50% if their units lacked dry disconnect valves and their records ended in an even number.

Local and federal freight vehicles stopped circulating between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., except those registered in the self-regulation programs of CDMX or the State of Mexico. Meanwhile, taxis with holograms 0, 00, 1, or 2 faced restrictions from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., a more restrictive schedule than private transportation to ensure emergency services remained operational during critical hours.

A recurring pattern each season

The implementation of the “double no-drive today” responded to recurring patterns of atmospheric pollution in the region. Every year, when the ozone season begins, authorities activate emergency protocols to protect public health. However, these measures are only effective when combined with meteorological changes that favor pollutant dispersion, something that does not always happen immediately.