SunDevil
Junior Nomad
Posts: 82
Registered: 8-13-2003
Member Is Offline
|
|
La Paz Traffic Police Are Targeting Gringos
This news is in the June 9, 2018 Baja Pony Express report.
The police in La Paz are targeting Gringos heading north outside of town before the agriculture check point, pulling them over out of a line of cars,
and claiming that they exceeded the 60 km speed limit. Pay the bribe or follow them back to town and spend half a day following them trying to find
the police station.
Also mentioned in the BPE report are Constitution's hidden stop signs and speed traps.
We were pulled over last year in La Paz for a phony reason but after pleading our case we were let go with just a caution.
|
|
|
BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13165
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
We were pulled over and let go after yours truly threw a major hissy fit!
In my defense, I was exhausted after a 10 hour car ride with a dog that was not handling the trip well.
Every time Mom and I remember the incident, we laugh uncontrollable - Those cops really thought they had a loony on their hands hahaha
|
|
|
gnukid
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 4410
Registered: 7-2-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
The section there around El Centenario has a succession of speed signs that change rapidly (trap) so just slow way down. It's just a short distance.
|
|
|
MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
Member Is Offline
Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
|
|
Trolling for Dollars
Gringo drivers have been targeted since before I could drive (60+ years) and (no doubt) prior to that.
It's the Mexican Entrepreneurial spirit at work.
And, often, a Civil Service collateral benefit.
BTW, a 60K on a Sunday informal citation was the ONE of many during my near 50 years of Baja/Mainland driving that was (I think)
undeserved.
Driving at a (slower than traffic) 40, I was pulled over and told that I had exceeded 60K (36mph). Noting that dual signage (elsewhere) ALWAYS
indicates 60k/40mph, I pointed to "40" on my speedometer. HE (motorcycle cop) took off his glove and tapped "35". This went on for a few exchanges
until I asked the usual in such situations. What the fine was and IF it was possible to pay HIM (since it was Sunday) so he could pay the court.
Paid my "fine" and went on my way.
Made it a point to never transit again North or South on a weekend day when bargaining power was reduced.
[Edited on 6-10-2018 by MrBillM]
|
|
|
Paco Facullo
Super Nomad
Posts: 1301
Registered: 1-21-2017
Location: Here now
Member Is Offline
Mood: Abiding ..........
|
|
El Gringo impuesto...
Just part of the price for admission....
Since I've given up all hope, I feel much better
|
|
|
Fernweh
Nomad
Posts: 444
Registered: 2-24-2011
Location: Centenario, BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
Sorry Guys,
but I do drive almost daily on that road. The Federal Police had a check point set up, by the Oxxo store in Centenarion. I have never been stopped
there, always being waived through.
Now that checkpoint is no longer there, but a new one appeared on top of the grade Hwy 1, just before the ascend into the La Paz area.
I got stopped by them last Monday, driving an unusual sports car, without a front license plate. The officer asked very politely for my drivers
license, and for the first time for me here in Baja, for the car registration. Both SD documents matched it each other, and with a smiley reference to
my German name and car, he invited me to continue my trip back home.
Yes, I have been pulled over here in the past, but every time, I was doing something wrong......No seat belt on, on the phone while driving, no
license plate on a trailer and so on. Cost me only 20 pesos over the last few years, as I can talk German to the police for ever.....Maybe the local
drivers will get away with such infraciones.
No complaints for me here in La Paz, just loving it!
BTW if you see me driving my car with the license plate (rear) "VIVELO" just stopped me and say "Hello".
|
|
|
David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64480
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
|
|
Nice post Karl!
|
|
|
Sunman
Nomad
Posts: 400
Registered: 6-22-2007
Location: Oxnard
Member Is Offline
|
|
Nothing new here
|
|
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
