BajaNomad

La Paz PD Speed Trap west of La Paz around KM 100

RFClark - 7-6-2022 at 08:40 PM

This week the La Paz Police not the National Guard are stopping motorists on HWY1 around 100KM west of La Paz and collecting fines on the spot. No they don’t take AMEX either!

The La Paz National Guard is stopping motorists north of Todos Santos both North and South bound also HWY1

Pescadero has added several large cement topas in town both sides of the highway.

pauldavidmena - 7-7-2022 at 06:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark  
This week the La Paz Police not the National Guard are stopping motorists on HWY1 around 100KM west of La Paz and collecting fines on the spot. No they don’t take AMEX either!

The La Paz National Guard is stopping motorists north of Todos Santos both North and South bound also HWY1

Pescadero has added several large cement topas in town both sides of the highway.


I guess the cardboard police car next to the OXXO in Pescadero wasn't a sufficient deterrent? Seriously, the speed with which cars blast through Pescadero on Highway 19 is a pedestrian's nightmare.

mtgoat666 - 7-7-2022 at 06:43 AM

Quote: Originally posted by RFClark  
This week the La Paz Police not the National Guard are stopping motorists on HWY1 around 100KM west of La Paz and collecting fines on the spot. No they don’t take AMEX either!

The La Paz National Guard is stopping motorists north of Todos Santos both North and South bound also HWY1

Pescadero has added several large cement topas in town both sides of the highway.


Simple solution: don’t speed!

It’s not a “trap.” It’s called “enforcement.”

pacificobob - 7-7-2022 at 09:02 AM

I got stopped there in early june. The cop and I had a nice chat....and I was on my way. No ticket, mordida, hell, I didn't even get a warning.
Keep smiling,speak Spanish.

RFClark - 7-7-2022 at 09:26 AM

Goat,

When a truck with 3 or 4 cops stops you says your speeding and asks for money. It’s difficult to argue especially when there are very few posted speed signs out in the middle of nowhere! That’s why it’s called a speed trap!

4x4abc - 7-7-2022 at 11:57 AM

here is the thing:
speed outside of populated areas is 80 km/h (rarely posted)
sometimes more is allowed (it is ALWAYS posted)
all foreigners drive too fast
almost all locals drive too fast
police in Mexico preys on foreigners (because they have more money)

Baja Sur has gone absolutely nuts
the nuttiness is no longer confined to Los Cabos
educated guess from observing traffic in La Paz - 1/3 of the drivers are on drugs
speeding (also in town) has increased to a point that we have one traffic death a day (it used to be 2 per year)
the daily images of crashes are horrific
cars often destroyed beyond recognition
intersection crashes almost always result in one truck on the side or n the roof

to get a handle on it, the police has put up more speed checks
just today new cross bars have been installed in Chametla

charliemanson - 7-7-2022 at 12:27 PM

Yep, my brother in law always targets SD plated cars as he knows they cheat the system down here and don't pay their share, which they don't.
They never pull over Anapromex cars as they have no money or insurance so its a waste of time. No plates is a pull over situation.

I have yet to see an increase in traffic accidents personally, so that that for what ever somebody else is saying.

We keep it at 120 and fly right by all police watching on the road. Perhaps because we are plated and legal, or just lucky. No Se

mtgoat666 - 7-7-2022 at 12:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by charliemanson  


We keep it at 120 and fly right by all police watching on the road. Perhaps because we are plated and legal, or just lucky. No Se


People who speed are just stupid. They usually only learn their lesson the hard way after 1) They crash and they or their pax are maimed or killed, or 2) they kill/maim a 3rd party and they lose their life savings in the resulting legal matter.

People who speed are so concerned about saving a few minutes,… boy, do they ever learn a lesson when their speeding brings a heap of trouble down in their life!

charliemanson - 7-7-2022 at 01:36 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
Quote: Originally posted by charliemanson  


We keep it at 120 and fly right by all police watching on the road. Perhaps because we are plated and legal, or just lucky. No Se


People who speed are just stupid. They usually only learn their lesson the hard way after 1) They crash and they or their pax are maimed or killed, or 2) they kill/maim a 3rd party and they lose their life savings in the resulting legal matte

People who speed are so concerned about saving a few minutes,… boy, do they ever learn a lesson when their speeding brings a heap of trouble down in their life!




And what are you trying to say? 120 is nothing on an open 4 lane road goat.... we get passed all the time.
Sure when road conditions warrant slowing down, by all means do it....Not sure your point in regards to this conversation.

David K - 7-7-2022 at 01:44 PM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
here is the thing:
speed outside of populated areas is 80 km/h (rarely posted)
sometimes more is allowed (it is ALWAYS posted)
all foreigners drive too fast
almost all locals drive too fast
police in Mexico preys on foreigners (because they have more money)

Baja Sur has gone absolutely nuts
the nuttiness is no longer confined to Los Cabos
educated guess from observing traffic in La Paz - 1/3 of the drivers are on drugs
speeding (also in town) has increased to a point that we have one traffic death a day (it used to be 2 per year)
the daily images of crashes are horrific
cars often destroyed beyond recognition
intersection crashes almost always result in one truck on the side or n the roof

to get a handle on it, the police has put up more speed checks
just today new cross bars have been installed in Chametla



Do the La Paz drivers still ignore stop signs?
I was almost rear ended (2012) when I came to a stop, at a stop sign! My La Paz amigo told me it was because they are ignored unless a car on the side street is visible... Here we call that a YIELD sign! LOL

charliemanson - 7-7-2022 at 04:37 PM

NEVER stop at a stop sign here or you will get rear ended ....maybe by me or my wife.

All time have your head on a swivel and proceed!

RFClark - 7-7-2022 at 05:51 PM

CM,

Different car has California plates! I’m a tourist w/valid visa! We were driving 100Km/Hr along with traffic just west of Cien! Yes, no one stops for stop signs in La Paz! Some don't stop for traffic lights either and a few drive the wrong way on the one way streets.

JDCanuck - 7-7-2022 at 07:19 PM

La Paz is certainly driven on its own rules. Don't stop for pedestrians at crosswalks or you get rear ended and or get blasted by locals, don't stop at stop signs for the same reason. Exceptions exist if you have foreign plates and the police are hungry. Given a choice of angering locals or avoiding fines, I will avoid the fines and follow the rules. I see they have added a lot of traffic control crossing officers to avoid the pedestrians being hit at major crosswalks and reduce accidents lately. We also caught this news on our last visit:
https://gringogazette.com/wp/2022/03/la-paz-traffic-infracti...



[Edited on 7-8-2022 by JDCanuck]

Alan - 7-7-2022 at 08:09 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JDCanuck  
La Paz is certainly driven on its own rules. Don't stop for pedestrians at crosswalks or you get rear ended and or get blasted by locals, don't stop at stop signs for the same reason. Exceptions exist if you have foreign plates and the police are hungry. Given a choice of angering locals or avoiding fines, I will avoid the fines and follow the rules. I see they have added a lot of traffic control crossing officers to avoid the pedestrians being hit at major crosswalks and reduce accidents lately. We also caught this news on our last visit:
https://gringogazette.com/wp/2022/03/la-paz-traffic-infracti...



[Edited on 7-8-2022 by JDCanuck]
La Paz seemed crazy when I was first exposed to it but after years of driving there, I see it works. When the rains hit and there are potholes everywhere it almost becomes an art form :lol::lol::lol:

JDCanuck - 7-7-2022 at 08:46 PM

Well, it certainly helps if you remember where the missing manhole covers are when the locals remove the tire that was marking it (On the road past the General Hospital). I will be watching closely for the new Chametla bumps Harald mentioned when i'm back in a couple weeks from now. I am assuming near the Secundas or the Wrecker? Lots of people trying to cross in that area.

About the wrecking yards in Chametla....

AKgringo - 7-7-2022 at 09:22 PM

I often wondered what was going on at one of them, because there were often several police cars out front.

Turns out that they were there for the restaurant attached to the business. I can't remember the name of the place right now, but I have had many great breakfasts and lunches there!

Friendly people, good basic meals, quick service and very reasonable rates!

JDCanuck - 7-7-2022 at 11:33 PM

AKGringo: I really would like the name of that restaurant if it comes back to you. Could this have been the place?:
https://www.facebook.com/Pulpis2

[Edited on 7-9-2022 by JDCanuck]

Marty Mateo - 7-10-2022 at 08:22 AM

I spent a month living in La Paz a few years ago and rode my bicycle daily through out the city. I was pleasantly surprised at the way drivers acknowledged me at 4 way stops and generally on the streets. I never felt at risk and always felt drivers to be predictable. I find Baja to be an enjoyable place to drive where drivers seem to be confident and “ get on with it “ . Drivers in Canada and the states seem to be lacking in confidence and seem unable to grasp the concept of “keep right except to pass” and how to merge .

JDCanuck - 7-10-2022 at 09:10 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Marty Mateo  
I spent a month living in La Paz a few years ago and rode my bicycle daily through out the city. I was pleasantly surprised at the way drivers acknowledged me at 4 way stops and generally on the streets. I never felt at risk and always felt drivers to be predictable. I find Baja to be an enjoyable place to drive where drivers seem to be confident and “ get on with it “ . Drivers in Canada and the states seem to be lacking in confidence and seem unable to grasp the concept of “keep right except to pass” and how to merge .


I have to admit it generally seems to work well at the 4-way stop signs as well, and yes, most drivers were very courteous and aware of others at more risk than them. Takes some getting used to. Works a whole lot better if you are Baja licensed and not carrying a Canadian/US license plate i noticed.