BajaNomad

Mexicali mordida heads up

philodog - 3-5-2016 at 06:48 PM

Just a heads up for travellers. Coming north towards the main crossing in Mexicali yesterday I was stopped by a Mexicali cop for not using my turn signal when I changed lanes (I don`t remember changing lanes but whatever). He never asked for a bribe but kept telling me I needed to go to the police station and the fine would be $50. It was obvious he was hoping I would offer an alternative solution. When I asked him to write the address of the station down and I would meet him there he let me off with a warning. As we were talking a motorcop pulled over another gringo just down the road. Seems like they were looking for easy marks just before the border. He was very friendly and non intimidating at least. Don`t pay the mordida!

Perceburzr - 3-5-2016 at 07:44 PM

We got pulled over in December about a half a mile after we crossed the old border crossing in Mexicali. It was a cop on a motorcycle,said we were going too fast and the speed limit was 35kmh. He said the ticket would be $40.00 and to follow him to the Police station.I told him I would follow him.He went to the back of my trailer for a while then he was on his motorcycle at my door and said Felice Navidad and took off.

DASH CAMERAS

bajaguy - 3-5-2016 at 07:57 PM

Get one

mtgoat666 - 3-5-2016 at 08:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by philodog  
Just a heads up for travellers. Coming north towards the main crossing in Mexicali yesterday I was stopped by a Mexicali cop for not using my turn signal when I changed lanes (I don`t remember changing lanes but whatever). He never asked for a bribe but kept telling me I needed to go to the police station and the fine would be $50.


Me thinks if you don't remember, then you weren't paying attention, and you probably committed a moving violation,...
So the cop was probably right to pull you over,...
Your complaint seems to be over being asked to go to the station?
I pity Mexican cops that have to deal with gringos that always assume they are crooked despite their intentions to stop gringos driving dangerously,...

Perceburzr - 3-5-2016 at 09:11 PM

And the Canuck Goat Devil chimes in, Shocker:o:o. If we were doing something illegal, why were we not given tickets or taken to the Police station to pay the fines??????? If I was doing something wrong I would pay the piper.

[Edited on 3-6-2016 by Perceburzr]

AKgringo - 3-5-2016 at 09:18 PM

If a police officer observes someone committing a traffic offense, he is doing his job if he pulls them over and issues a citation, or gives a warning!

Holding a drivers license hostage, or insisting that the driver needs to follow him to some vague location, is fishing for a mordida!

I wonder if this is going on at the east gate as well?

gsbotanico - 3-6-2016 at 11:19 AM

Not using turn signals is a common pretext for a traffic stop in Mexico. The irony is that many Mexican driver do NOT use turn signal. I can't count the number of times I've been cut off in roundabouts or had to suddenly brake with a turn or lane change in front of me without a signal.

If stopped with this allegation, I always point out to the cop that hundreds and hundreds of Mexicans never use turn signals, plus the fact that the cops often pull over cars with US plates. I do this to let the cop know that I'm not an easy mark and innocent. I religiously use turn signals, even if there are very few other cars around.

The Tijuana/Ensenada region used to have a big problem with corrupt cops. Now it is much reduced. I guess the problem has moved to other areas. The best advice is keep your speed down, watch for stop signs, and use your turn turn signals.

StuckSucks - 3-6-2016 at 08:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Perceburzr  
And the Canuck Goat Devil chimes in, Shocker:o:o.


THAT is funny (and true).

bajacamper - 3-6-2016 at 09:03 PM

Canuck Goat Devil!! :biggrin::biggrin:

joerover - 3-6-2016 at 09:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by gsbotanico  

The Tijuana/Ensenada region used to have a big problem with corrupt cops. .


I have been in tj for 4 days and not been riped off by cops, wow.
Do you think it is safe to visit Ensenada, maybe not, bandidos can placas rule the rost down there.

Try Oaxaca, seems safe !

me to policia
¨senior bicycleta no dinero, cadilac mucho dinero, comprendo o no comprendo.¨

[Edited on 3-7-2016 by joerover]

mtgoat666 - 3-6-2016 at 09:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by gsbotanico  
Not using turn signals is a common pretext for a traffic stop in Mexico. The irony is that many Mexican driver do NOT use turn signal. I can't count the number of times I've been cut off in roundabouts or had to suddenly brake with a turn or lane change in front of me without a signal.

If stopped with this allegation, I always point out to the cop that hundreds and hundreds of Mexicans never use turn signals, plus the fact that the cops often pull over cars with US plates. I do this to let the cop know that I'm not an easy mark and innocent. I religiously use turn signals, even if there are very few other cars around.

The Tijuana/Ensenada region used to have a big problem with corrupt cops. Now it is much reduced. I guess the problem has moved to other areas. The best advice is keep your speed down, watch for stop signs, and use your turn turn signals.


Mr magoo, your nearsightedness gets you into problems, but you stubbornly refuse to admit fault! But never worry, it always works out ok for mr magoo, eh?

motoged - 3-7-2016 at 09:33 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajacamper  
Canuck Goat Devil!! :biggrin::biggrin:


Goat is a Canadian.....?

If so, his status just climbed a few notches in my books. :biggrin::saint:

So, you guys gonna build a wall around him and send him the bill?

motoged - 3-7-2016 at 09:37 AM

Quote: Originally posted by gsbotanico  
..... The irony is that many Mexican driver do NOT use turn signal. I can't count

If stopped with this allegation, I always point out to the cop that hundreds and hundreds of Mexicans never use turn signals, plus the fact that the cops often pull over cars with US plates. I do this to let the cop know that I'm not an easy mark and innocent. I religiously use turn signals, even if there are very few other cars around.

The best advice is keep your speed down, watch for stop signs, and use your turn turn signals.


Yes, operating your vehicle legally is always a good idea....abroad and at home...:light:

Also, pointing out that others are not doing so is such a convincing and valid defense...:rolleyes: