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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
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Getting a Little Bitten in Mexicali
Cruising down Calle Novena at a leisurely pace along with a few others at the same speed AND some passing me, including a Junky Red Toyota pickup that
Whizzed by, I was "Startled" to find a Mexican Motorcycle-Mounted Crusader of Justice at my passenger window pointing for me to pull over.
The Friendly Staunch Defender of all things Lawful then explained to me (in Spanish) that I was Speeding as he pointed at the
signpost just down the road. 60 KPH. "Sesenta. NO Setenta" ! He said. "Setenta" ? I said. "SI".
So, I'm going 42 in a 36 (or 40) zone. Where there is dual signage (not here), the 60 is shown as 40 mph. TWO miles per hour ?
I said, "BUT, I was going the same speed or less than the rest AND there was the one Red Toyota that speeded by".
In a GREAT Latino Thespian moment, he then spoke into his handheld radio "something about a Red Toyota" and turned back to me with a smile and "OK".
He did all of this without keying the Mike button. A nice touch.
After taking my Driver's License, he then launched into a LONG lecture punctuated with gestures. That was a relief since I knew what was coming.
When they keep talking and don't start writing, you just wait for the bite.
As he dramtically spoke of how serious (and expensive) the infraction was at 850 PESOS, the pantomine of negotiations began. $20 ?. No. $40 ? NO.
"The fine is 850 Pesos, Senor". $60 ? I was worried when he put his hand up at that, but it turned out he was cautioning me to wait until the
traffic had cleared. After it did, he stuck his gloved hand into the cab to POINT out where on my speedometer 60 and 70 were located. As he did so,
he cupped his palm downward so I could give him the "Fine".
After which, he gave me a salute with his ticket holder, pointed to the speed sign and wished me a "Buen Viaje".
As I drove off, my wife said "You don't seem upset". I said it was nice to see that the Good Old Days weren't ALL Gone. They had gotten more pricey,
though.
I've long said that it was odd that I am the only GUILTY person I've met in Baja after 45 years of driving there. I've ALWAYS been
guilty of the infraction when pulled over. Everybody else I've met has been innocent doing nothing wrong and a Victim.
This doesn't break that record. It does, however, strain it to the limit. 2 MPH ?
Probably another result of the BAD Economy straining budgets to the limit.
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3812
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by MrBillM
...As I drove off, my wife said "You don't seem upset". I said it was nice to see that the Good Old Days weren't ALL Gone. They had gotten more
pricey, though.
...I've long said that it was odd that I am the only GUILTY person I've met in Baja after 45 years of driving there. I've ALWAYS
been guilty of the infraction when pulled over. Everybody else I've met has been innocent doing nothing wrong and a Victim....
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The good old days of mordida won't ever be gone if people keep paying it.
Maybe the reason they have been pulling you over for 45 years is because they know you're an easy buck, or eighty as it seems the economy is asking
for now.
Nothing personal Mr. B, I just don't stand for the bite and believe that if I'm guilty of an infraction I'll pay for it the legal way. Why be guilty
in both catagories?
P<*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Well, Bill, you shouldn't be surprised at "Selective Law Enforcement." Been that way since Triple A invented tourism. Anyway, you can rest assured
that nasty scoflaw in the red Toyota received his citation as well. In this day of high speed radios, almost nothing gets by the arm of the law.
I don't know about you but, I feel ...well....protected and cared for. Only in the Americas, by golly. Life is good.
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MrBillM
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 21656
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Out and About
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Mood: It's a Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Day
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Yeah, BUT .................
To Catch that Scofflaw, you need to KEY the MIKE. His thumb was BELOW it. I enjoyed the performance, though.
That was a ShowTime Moment.
AND, WHO SAID I WAS SURPRISED ?. Or, complaining, for that matter ? On the contrary, as I said, I was reassured and quite content.
I would have been more content at $20 or $40, but that's inflation for you. The only surprise came from cutting it so fine. Usually, it's a flagrant
violation, but tough times are here.
Since ALL of the other cars around me were Mexican, it was just a case of DWG (Driving While Gringo). Just my luck that there wasn't
another Gringo in a nicer truck. The last one I avoided was thanks to a BIG and Flashy 4WD who looked like a better touch. Dead of July there are
fewer of us around.
Speaking as One who will CONTINUE to Pay Mordida EVERYTIME the opportunity arises, eat your heart out. There will always be plenty like me to Screw
with that Integrity business.
What does that get you in the U.S. ? $200 infractions and a bump on the Insurance ? No, Thanks.
VIVA MORDIDA.
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Osprey
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3694
Registered: 5-23-2004
Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Wow, overcome with lectures and vitriol for a long spell now I am beginning to feel the awesome effect. Now I find myself siding with Mr. Bill! Annnnd
while we're at it, you self righteous folks who refuse to pay any money on the road, anyway, anywhere, so help you Dios, you are causing the
constabulary, such as it is in times like these, to double up on us wildmen who choose to be a part of the revenue stream of Mexicans struggling to
survive. Now, to offset your penureous penchants I will begin to greatly increase my speed on the highways and byway.
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vandenberg
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5118
Registered: 6-21-2005
Location: Nopolo
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Mood: mellow
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Osprey
Now, to offset your penureous penchants |
Had to get the good book out for that one.
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smlslikfish
Junior Nomad
Posts: 75
Registered: 12-30-2003
Member Is Offline
Mood: La Costilla Bound
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I personally applaud your point of view and your actions. I feel the same way but don't usually manage to keep a smile on my face as I drive away. You
should live a long life free of stress related health problems!
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mooose29
Nomad
Posts: 201
Registered: 10-1-2008
Location: Encinitas/Punta Chivato, Rancho Partera
Member Is Offline
Mood: All Smiles
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For what it's worth
I have been pulled over 3 times in 15+ years of driving in Baja and I deserved to be pulled over each time. Speeding twice and almost running a cop
off the road when I failed to notice him passing me on a double yellow and I pulled out to pass the truck we were both passing thus running the cop
off into the dirt. I am lucky I didn't go to jail on that one, but boy was he peeed. One "roadside fine" for the speeding I was going 80 KPH in a 40
KPH zone so I certainly deserved that one and tickets for the other 2. The tickets while being a pain the ass to figure out where to go to pay them,
(you guys know the drill go here to pay, then take your reciept to this place and get a stamp then go back to the original place to get your license
back and record cleared) ended up being 20-30 bucks.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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Bill.........I was just kiddin witcha. Thought you might need a few laughs after having a street cop run your life, even for just five minutes.
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3812
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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| Quote: | Originally posted by smlslikfish
I personally applaud your point of view and your actions. I feel the same way but don't usually manage to keep a smile on my face as I drive away. You
should live a long life free of stress related health problems! |
I would think that it would be difficult to manage to keep a smile on your face after you've been bent over, unless you're an old pro at it as some of
the above posters claim to be.
I'd rather recieve the ticket.
P<*)))>{
[Edited on 13-7-2009 by Paulina]
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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ncampion
Super Nomad
Posts: 1238
Registered: 4-15-2006
Location: Loreto
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Mood: Retired and Loving it
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In my 30+ years driving in Mexico, I have been pulled over exactly once and it was in Mexicali for "speeding". I paid the "field fine" of $20 and was
on my way, but I have ever since avoided that town as it is both a nightmare to drive in and the "traffic enforcement" there is agressive to say the
least.
That being said, the field fines won't stop until the police are paid a better wage. Until then, they will continue to suppliment their income as the
opportunity presents. Which comes first, the chicken or the egg????
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ncampion
That being said, the field fines won't stop until the police are paid a better wage. |
That wont stop it either. Free money is just that, free. A better wage won't break the bad habit of taking free money.
Of course, the bad cop could be turned in to his superior and........oh, wait a minute. The bad cop shares the loot with him too.
Gee....where does it stop?
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Cyanide41
Nomad
Posts: 303
Registered: 1-7-2009
Location: Tijuana
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whoa! Did I just read that you paid $850pesos for 6mph over the limit?? Please tell me no! Had you done the right thing and asked for the citation,
you almost certainly would have payed less than $20. If you had even resisted a little bit I am sure the fine would have dropped drastically or even
gotten off with a warning.
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3812
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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You guys are so naughty. Maybe that is why this "well behaved woman" likes you so much.
P<*)))>{
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Cyanide41
If you had even resisted a little bit |
Well, you have to understand MrBill. His Buddhist background forbids resistance. He leaves everything up to God and Karma.
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Paulina
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3812
Registered: 8-31-2002
Location: BCN
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don't forget the yoga postitions.
\"Well behaved women rarely make history.\" Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Paulina
I would think that it would be difficult to manage to keep a smile on your face after you've been bent over
don't forget the yoga postitions.
P<*)))>{ |
I doubt he will.
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jimgrms
Senior Nomad
Posts: 664
Registered: 9-30-2005
Location: oceanside ca
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Mood: its always good
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Every time i hear of something like this it makes me miss going to mexico less and less
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Cyanide41
Nomad
Posts: 303
Registered: 1-7-2009
Location: Tijuana
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by Cyanide41
If you had even resisted a little bit |
Well, you have to understand MrBill. His Buddhist background forbids resistance. He leaves everything up to God and Karma. |
Well in that case.... Mr Bill you should up your karma and give me some cash for new tires so I can make more baja trips. That way you won't get
pulled over in the first place.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
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Still crusading, Pat. I'm often at odds with Mrbill. But, I do not understand why there is a hardcore bunch of folks on this board who act outraged
everytime someone shares a mordita story. The concept is ingrained in the culture and history of the country. And make no mistake, there are countries
all around the world that present a much higher level of corruption. It seems to me that Mexico presently faces daunting problems that make this issue
pale by comparison. And Mrbill's story is the second in recent memory that was recounted with a pleasant humor. If he's not mad, why should you be?
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