Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The images of crime, violence and mayhem along the Mexico United States border are continually reinforced by some politicians and radio and TV announcers. According to the Center for American Progress these stories are simply sensationalized and half truths at best.

"The facts do not support the claims," says Marshall Fitz, Director of Immigration Policy at the Center for American Progress, "he border is safer than ever before." He also states that an influx of manpower, technology and physical infrastructure have enhanced the Border Patrol's ability to keep the situation stable and safe.

Despite the facts, the words, "crossing the Mexican border," spark apprehension, especially if driving is involved. However, many Puerto Vallarta locals make the journey several times per year, like Robina Oliver and Carlos Vasquez, who talk about their experiences.

"It is not that big of deal," says Robina Oliver. She drives across the US - Mexican border as many as six times in a year. She goes on to say, "My husband and I cross in Nuevo Laredo and there is varying amounts of traffic, depending on the time of day and the day of the week and if it's a holiday period or not. The longest we have ever waited was about 40 minutes and the shortest we ever waited was about three minutes. When actually crossing the border, there are several lanes and you just choose a lane and you get up there and the custom agents look at your passport and they want to look at your car and see what you have in your trunk and that's it, you're in."

The line separating the United States and Mexico stretches close to two-thousand miles and is the most frequently crossed international border in the world, with about 250 million people making their way across every year.

"We've never really encountered any problems at the border at all," says Robina, "We've never seen any issues, nothing, ever. I mean obviously you read about things but, we have never witnessed any of that ourselves."

Robina and Carlos suggest using common sense when traveling on the road in Mexico or the United States.

"We start early like 6:30 or 7:00 in the morning," says Carlos Vasquez, "We drive about 12 hours and we don't drive at night. We sleep over and the next day, the same thing again." It takes two days to get from the city to Austin, Texas, which is their US destination. They cross in Laredo and really enjoy the drive.

Both are animated when they talk about the different scenery the encounter on their journey and it really changes from the sea level features of Puerto Vallarta to the mountains around Guadalajara. Robina says, "The roads are good, they are straight, they are flat, they are not full of pot holes and we usually travel the free roads, el libre, from Guadalajara to Saltillo to Monterrey and from Monterrey we take the quota or toll roads because it gets really congested there with a lot of 18-wheeler trucks."

They enjoy the picturesque little towns along the way and stopping at their favorite burrito stand about an hour north of Guadalajara. Mexico is country where there are a lot of things to see on the road. Carlos says he feels safe while driving because there are plenty of Federales on the highways.

The US State Department’s warnings about travel to Mexican border towns such as Juarez, Tijuana and Matamoras should be taken seriously, and it is recommended you drive through these border towns early in the morning and get through as quickly as possible. When driving, stay alert, keep your map handy and chances are good your journey will be happy and safe.