BajaNomad

La Paz Christmas drive

4x4abc - 10-11-2019 at 05:40 PM

a fund raiser of sorts

as every year the police comes out from a 9 months hiatus
blissful 9 months - everyone was doing whatever they wanted
red light?
pffff

now get ready to be pulled over for the slightest infraction
including the one only the police saw

noticed 5 cars pulled over within a couple of miles today
on my way back, 3 more

so, be extra careful

del mar - 10-11-2019 at 05:46 PM

no more rolling through those stop signs unless you want to contribute to the policeman's ball!

David K - 10-11-2019 at 06:08 PM

When I was driving in La Paz, with La Paz residents in my back seat, on a street with many 4-way stop signs:

I slowed, about to come to a full stop at an Alto sign, my La Paz amigo said, "Don't do that... otherwise you risk getting hit from behind"! He went on to tell me "nobody stops on these streets for stop signs".
They seemed to treat them like we do to yield signs... only stopping to avoid a collision.

I still wanted to stop, believing that a cop will see me rolling through one... and my plates are totally Gringo front and back!

JZ - 10-11-2019 at 06:30 PM

Got pulled over for talking on my phone around Xmas 2 years ago. Cost me $40.

4x4abc - 10-11-2019 at 07:09 PM

got pulled over for talking on my phone as well
I don't own a phone
it was the cigar in my hand that triggered the cop

he had a hard time saving his face

Paco Facullo - 10-11-2019 at 07:57 PM

Just returned from a month in Argentina where in the Salta region they don't even have stop signs. I rented a car and it took a bit of time getting use to the intersections.
It's whoever gets there first OR whoever WANTS it more..

Funny thing is, is that traffic moves better and I didn't see any accidents ..
I liked it once I got use to it...

kiterkip - 10-11-2019 at 09:38 PM

Don't forget Ciudad Constitucion. This guy guided me into a parking space, then drug me downtown for illegal parking:

Whiskey Witch - 10-12-2019 at 06:03 AM

For another perspective, I've driven all over La Paz by myself during the past 6-7 Decembers and have never been shaken down by a police officer. I do stop at stop signs. Occasionally there will be officers collecting donations along the roadway and I will contribute. I think their pay rate is pretty sad.

4x4abc - 10-12-2019 at 09:06 AM

I have had a very low rate of police pull overs myself
I follow all the rules by the letter

the report was about my observations police getting very very active

just 2 weeks ago I was thinking: "No police anywhere. People are speeding like they are on drugs. And people use the rules as if they were mere recommendations. In the US or Europe the police would have ticketed every single one." But in La Paz the police was on vacation. Until now. Be extra careful downtown. Full stop is the minimum - you also have to stop before the cross walks. Saw some cops hiding just to write tickets for "one tire on the crosswalk"

BajaBlanca - 10-12-2019 at 09:22 AM

Great advice! Christmas is almost here and yup, cops gotta get ready!

No stop signs at all would take some getting used to.

David K - 10-12-2019 at 09:45 AM

Even here in SoCal, some residential streets have no signs at intersections. There are known as 'uncontrolled' and the rule is if two vehicles meet at the same time, the one to the right has the right-of-way. If no other vehicles are in sight, you do not need to come to a stop.

BajaParrothead - 10-12-2019 at 10:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K  
Even here in SoCal, some residential streets have no signs at intersections. There are known as 'uncontrolled' and the rule is if two vehicles meet at the same time, the one to the right has the right-of-way. If no other vehicles are in sight, you do not need to come to a stop.

But you are restricted to 15 MPH if the sight distance is less than 200' - def Uncontrolled Intersection.

David K - 10-12-2019 at 10:48 AM

Correct, you don't zoom through assuming you are the only one on the road!

Bubba - 10-12-2019 at 01:18 PM

I was pulled over in Rosarito on New Years eve quite a few yrs ago. The cop kept insisting that I was speeding, I wasn't. He said I could pay him $40 or go to court. I said I would follow him to the police station. He got nasty and walked away. I never have paid Mordita and never will.

kiterkip - 10-12-2019 at 01:45 PM

I got pulled over by a policeman in La Paz last year with my little terrier bouncing in my lap. I was clearly in violation. The officer and I had a very very long and very pleasant conversation about travel, the ocean, surfing, retirement, dogs, family, tacos, more, more, more. I built some sincere affection for this aging, underpaid guy. All the time I was watching his pen just a bit elevated off the ticket pad... not writing anything.
I slipped a $200p note under his thumb and we almost hugged.
Very nice guy. $200 was cheap for the rich experience.