BajaNomad - Speed trap shakedown reports

Speed trap shakedown reports

caj13 - 10-26-2019 at 08:31 AM

got this from BPE today, i have no first-hand knowledge, but thought it may be important to a few here

Just drove the Mex 1 from San Diego to LB. There was a Federali/Policia municipal speeding shake down 5-10 miles north of Santa Rosalia and again about 15 miles North of La Paz. They are using a potential fake radar gun and standing in the middle of the road. Corruption at its finest and asking for payoffs En el mano (in the hand)… Do not pay and feed into the corruption! Ask them for a ticket and hold them responsible!

pacificobob - 10-26-2019 at 08:43 AM

Just drove the entire transpenisular highway. Rolled through every inspection point with little more than a greeting. The hwy was in excellent shape. No police contact other than federal police had
a check 20mi south of GN about 6am. They were both
polite and friendly.

[Edited on 10-26-2019 by pacificobob]

billklaser - 10-26-2019 at 08:58 AM

Recently drove San Diego to Loreto and back. Haven't had any speed traps for a long time. As stated above, road in very good and improving condition. Military stops going north hardly inspected anything, just waved through most stops. In the past on this route, just south of Guerrero Negro was a trap, and just north of Santa Rosalia sometimes. Haven't seen them for a while.

Lee - 10-26-2019 at 10:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by caj13

got this from BPE today, i have no first-hand knowledge, but thought it may be important to a few here

Just drove the Mex 1 from San Diego to LB. There was a Federali/Policia municipal speeding shake down 5-10 miles north of Santa Rosalia and again about 15 miles North of La Paz. They are using a potential fake radar gun and standing in the middle of the road. Corruption at its finest and asking for payoffs En el mano (in the hand)… Do not pay and feed into the corruption! Ask them for a ticket and hold them responsible!

The posted speed limits on 1 are ridiculous. I think most people speed than go the speed limit so that's a Catch-22.

I"ll assume from the above report that drivers are going the speed limit and are being accused falsely. If that's the case, yes, stand your ground.

If drivers are speeding, and get caught, the call is yours to make.

Personally, I don't think paying on the street is feeding corruption. Can't be proven. From a NOB moral POV, it sounds righteous.

Russ - 10-26-2019 at 11:32 AM

A friend came down yesterday, Friday, and was stopped by federal police just south of Santa Rosalia for speeding. They explained what a pain it is to pay the fine. Take the ticket to a federal police station to get the paperwork to pay the fine at a bank then take the receipt back to the station and turn it in and get your license back. He's a retired cop so they got in a long conversation. He also speaks Spanish. No ticket....
I've been stopped too and showed respect and did my best to speak Spanish. Which they kinda laughed at but no ticket ... yet. I had to laugh that twice after I struggled with my Spanish and they let the ticket go they spoke English and we had a good laugh. The real joke is the posted speed limits not my broken Spanish.

David K - 10-26-2019 at 01:18 PM

It's getting close to Christmas!

ZipLine - 10-26-2019 at 02:06 PM

Thanks for the reports - I am heading Ensenada to Cabo and back next week.

Lee - 10-26-2019 at 02:20 PM

Let's make a mental note. Activity around:

-- 5-10 miles north of Santa Rosalia;

-- just South of Santa Rosalia;

-- about 15 miles North of La Paz;

and I would add:

-- the stretch between GN and Vizcaino.

Any more?

bajaguy - 10-26-2019 at 04:52 PM

It's not a speed trap if you are speeding

Use a radar detector and a dash cam

Russ - 10-26-2019 at 06:33 PM

It is a speed trap if the posted speed is so low that no one travels that slowly.

norte - 10-26-2019 at 06:39 PM

Yup...would be nice if we could individually decide what the speed limit should be.

Diver - 10-26-2019 at 08:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee

Let's make a mental note. Activity around:

-- 5-10 miles north of Santa Rosalia;

-- just South of Santa Rosalia;

-- about 15 miles North of La Paz;

and I would add:

-- the stretch between GN and Vizcaino.

Any more?

You may all remember that a few years ago, Cuidad Const. was the bad place for holiday mordita.
The last 2 years they have gone with a new program. Cops smiling and waving while stopping you to sell raffle tickets for as much as you want to pay, they even give you a receipt !
I figure by getting a few bucks from almost everyone, they must be taking in a lot more than hitting only a few tourists a day !! AND no one is complaining about mordita !
.

[Edited on 10-27-2019 by Diver]

Bubba - 10-27-2019 at 04:14 AM

Quote: Originally posted by caj13

Winner.

Marc - 10-27-2019 at 07:28 AM

Must confess; Was speeding south of GN early May. A fed cop had us on radar driving opposite. First thing he asked was if we were a support team for the race. I believe he would have let us off if we were since there were many race types passing us.
I posted about this a while back and was called an A*hole for speeding.

[Edited on 10-27-2019 by Marc]

Lee - 10-27-2019 at 08:29 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Marc

Must confess; Was speeding south of GN early May. A fed cop had us on radar driving opposite....

I posted about this a while back and was called an A*hole for speeding.
[Edited on 10-27-2019 by Marc]

Don't know the details of your original post. Someone was feeling self-righteous or wish they could drive Baja.

Don't think I've ever seen a speed limit sign above 90 km/h, or 56 mph. South of GN it's hard not to speed. Guess that makes me an a$$hole too. No big deal.

Hook - 10-27-2019 at 01:56 PM

I havent been immediately south of GN in a long time, but I remember that the posted speed limit back then was a ridiculous 60km/h. Is that still the case?

David K - 10-27-2019 at 02:11 PM

I recall it cranked up to the nosebleed speed of 80 kph!

elfbrewery - 10-27-2019 at 04:09 PM

Speed may be only one way you can get pulled over. I had a dump truck pull half way off the road at the bridge just south of Sta. Rosalia. The driver waved me around, so I did. The next thing I know a cop pulls me over for crossing the center line to go around the truck.
Ciudad Constitucion was always a great place to get stopped, especially with all the hidden stop signs. Be sure to have your seat belts on and be courteous. The cop was looking for a donation to his birthday party, but we got away with a handshake.
A federal cop was on my tail when I was doing 65mph. I slowed to 60 and he barrelled past me. Who knows? Slowing down through pueblos to the posted speed limit seems prudent and driving at the same speed as others between towns does also. However, on the long barren stretches, it's anybody's guess.
Just remember what David K said, "Christmas is coming..."

SMG - 10-28-2019 at 05:01 AM

I was pulled over in La Paz for driving too slow??? Early morning sunrise driving north in mild rush hour traffic, could not see due to the glare from the sun, no one was driving fast. Cop pulled me over, I needed to get to GN so didn't argue, 500p I was driving again...

Was approached in Constitucion for backing into a parking spot and driving on the dirt curb. After 30 minute discussion of the infraction, $20 fine paid.

Was profiled by a Federale in Pescadero who proceeded to thoroughly search my truck. When he saw the Altoid tin in the console I think he believed he found what he was looking for, thankfully it was legit of the curiously strong mints. He was peeed and just told me to go. I kept asking why I was pulled over and he never answered.

I'm always respectful, probably a little nervous, and speak enough spanish to get by. I definitely speed though

DIWR17 - 1-18-2020 at 08:30 AM

My understanding (from my Mx attorney) is that they cannot take your license from you at all. You show them but never hand it over.

BajaBlanca - 1-18-2020 at 09:48 AM

We drive between Guerrero Negro to La Bocana as well as between The Abreojos turnoff, heading south, often. There are indeed speed traps between G Negro and Vizcaino. and the fines can be high. Our Mexican friend paid US$250! $4500 pesos. Ouch, Les got pulled over once and the federal cop said he would let us off that time but warned that Les was now "in the computer system" and would have to pay next time.

He watches the road like a hawk now.

And we are always on the lookout right before Santa Rosalia. It is a favorite place for the cops to catch those coming over a hill.

bajaric - 1-18-2020 at 10:46 AM

A couple of months ago there was a Federal Police officer stopping people with a radar gun on Hwy 5 southbound, about 10 miles north of San Felipe. Several people posted on South Campo Amigos FB group noting the same activity.

The older I get, the slower I drive. Now I am the one getting passed by the youngsters beating up their shock absorbers on the pot holes.

John Harper - 1-18-2020 at 03:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by norte

Yup...would be nice if we could individually decide what the speed limit should be.

You can.

It's called the Basic Speed Law. Look it up.

You can drive as fast as traffic conditions allow. My buddy got out of a ticket using the law in court. He was doing 30 in a 15 zone, but it was clear, dry conditions with no traffic. Beat the rap.

That's also why you can justify going 90 if everyone else is, and it would be unsafe not to as traffic flow and conditions dictate.

John

[Edited on 1-18-2020 by John Harper]

BajaParrothead - 1-18-2020 at 06:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

Quote: Originally posted by norte

Yup...would be nice if we could individually decide what the speed limit should be.

John, the first part of your post is correct regarding the prima facie (basic speed law ie 22350 CVC), but it should be noted that prima facie speed limits do not apply where the MAXIUM speed limit is posted (22349(a) VC - Max 65). The "Max" is non negotiable in a court, unlike prima facie where the officer needs to prove that the violator's speed was unsafe at the time of the alleged violation.

surfhat - 1-19-2020 at 10:16 AM

Radar detectors should be used, along with a dash cam to provide your only defense for the dreaded mordida. Any advantage is worth its weight in gold.

Slowing down to the barely crawling posted speeds when coming into the few municipalities is highly recommended.

If one has the opportunity to follow a tractor trailer through town, take it. Do not pass it up. They are our friends on the road unless they are over the line and forcing you to the edge, and hopefully not pass the edge of the roadway.

JZ - 1-19-2020 at 02:24 PM

In December, there was a guy a few miles North of Santa Rosalia with a radar gun. He got us, and already had another car pulled over.

mooose29 - 1-20-2020 at 12:29 AM

Coming northbound on Jan 3rd there were a couple of Federalies about 10-15 south of GN. They were out in the road waving people to a stop. The car that had just passed us a few minutes prior was pulled over. While we were not going the speed limit (that feels near impossible on that stretch) we were driving at what felt like a safe pace and they let us pass.

I noticed a lot of cops this trip both north and south, more than normal, but this was the only place they were actively writing tickets when we saw them.

basautter - 1-20-2020 at 04:41 AM

I was in San Felipe a few weeks ago, and there was a speed trap on 5 as you got close to town, heading south. Lucky for me they got the guy in front of me, and waved me on. I have seen the police doing this is the past, so beware!

BobbyC - 1-20-2020 at 12:48 PM

The problem at Ciudad Constitución has gotten better but you will still find a cop from time to time who tries to extort money from you. Best advice is to stand your ground and make sure to get their name as well as have them see you take photos of them and their vehicle, telling them that you will post them online.

They will back off as the heat from the online warnings was felt by the restaurants and hotels.

[Edited on 1-20-2020 by BobbyC]