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Today while I was in La Paz, I was pulled over by a motorcycle policeman for going 60 km (37.28 mph) in a 40 km (24.85 mph) heading out of town on the Transpeninsular 4-lane (2-lane each direction) highway between Fidipaz Hospital & Walmart. Traffic was extremely light, but I wasn't passing anyone....everyone was in front of me....except for the motorcycle officer!

I had my license out by the time he got to my window to tell me my speed was unsafe! I'll Google it later to get the stats on how many vehicles have gone out of control & rolled at a haul-assing speed of 37.28 mph! My Espanol is not strong enough for me to translate all the English comments I wanted to express (NONE rude or disrespectful!) & he disavowed any knowledge of English. But luckily Kate was with me! I acknowledged that I probably had been going 60 km....with the flow of traffic! He replied there was no other traffic! I said write the ticket & I'll go straight to Transito & pay it. He informed me he was keeping my Mexican DL, which is when the battle of wills began! I told him he could keep my DL if he was willing to accompany me to Transito right now so I wouldn't be guilty of creating another driving infraction by driving without my license....I'd be driving under police escort....& I wouldn't have to return to town later in the day to retrieve my DL after his shift ended. He took a long look at his watch & reckoned he couldn't accompany me to Transito! So I told him to write me the ticket, but give me my license back & I'd go straight to Transito to pay it. I advised him that I'm a resident, not a tourista & I know where Transito is since I've lived in the La Paz area for 11 years.

I believe he stopped me because I'm gringa more than for the purported infraction. He seemed surprised that I handed him a Mexican DL....despite the fact my car is Mexican plated. He slowly read my name off my DL out loud, as though he were writing it on the ticket. Then he advised me that this speeding infraction was going to cost me $1,100 pesos at the station! Kate piped up & said "No way!" He decided to fess' up that there's a 20% discount for paying it immediately. He didn't specify "here & now"....but it was implied! I insisted he write the ticket, give me back my license & I'd immediately go to Transito & pay it. Kate translated all that & the next thing I knew he's handing my DL back in through the window! I took it & was waiting for him to finish writing the ticket but he said "No ticket, drive safely"....in English! Kate translated that for me....unnecessarily!

The fact that I told him several times I wasn't contesting the ticket, just write it; but I insisted that he either accompany me to Transito right now so I could get my DL back right away or give it back to me immediately & I'd go pay the ticket; tells me the actual reason he stopped me was because the occupants were gringo rather than the purported "unsafe speed" he opened the conversation with....all tied up in one package tells me it truly was a frustrated (on his behalf!) failed extortion attempt. Oh yeah, I asked to look at the "ticket" after the fact & my name was no where to be found!

That is the way to handle it Legz. It does come down to a battle of wills sometimes and usually when they figure out that you are not going to give in they will just hand your license back and wish you a nice day.

UH-OH.......was this on the Bocadito search mission???

Originally Posted by Teniente

UH-OH.......was this on the Bocadito search mission???

Would you feel guilty if I told you yes, that's THE ONLY reason I went into town today & picked up a Spanish-speaking reinforcement?

No, it was a multi-task day! Honest!

I would feel EXTREMELY guilty!!!!, and so would Addie!!!!!

Thanks to both of you for the effort!!!!

It wasn't extortion; you were guilty.

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

...20% discount for paying it immediately...

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

...he said "No ticket, drive safely"....in English! Kate translated that for me....unnecessarily! ...

I think we're starting to synthesize an effective tactic here:

1) remain calm and polite

2) play naive/innocent(about procedure; never about guilt if actually guilty) and dumb. They probably already think we're dumb, so that helps.

3) take a loooong time thinking and talk slow(see #2.) They're counting on our anxiety/impatience. When a particular stop costs them time with no payout in sight, witness it rising in them.

For God's sake keep a straight face!

Never underestimate your opponent, though. Passive-aggression is pretty common.


Have you no shame, woman? You should've coughed up a propinita on sheer principle alone.

Well, that's sort of how it went.
Someday I'll tell you all what I really said to the kind officer.

Teniente, I hereby confirm that you and Addie and the Bocaditos are in no way responsible for our run-in with the law. Sorry we couldn't find them!!

Originally Posted by Marty Cortez

It wasn't extortion; you were guilty.

Have you no shame, woman? You should've coughed up a propinita on sheer principle alone.

Marty, in the Long-Legged edition of Webster's Dictionary, circa 1947, you'll find the following:

Guilty = When associated with a bona fide ticket-able traffic infraction, a ticket is issued. Upon payment, the proceeds go directly into the City coffers & eventually trickle down, dispersed according to some pre-determined formula, thereby benefiting all citizens of said jurisdiction.

Extortion = Illegal use of one's official position or powers to fraudulently obtain property, funds, or patronage for the extortionist's personal gain.

Mordita = A mutually agreed upon illegal monetary transaction incurred to avoid getting a ticket, again lining the pockets of just one individual, thereby depriving the city coffers of revenue.

Propina = aka tip or gratuity of a voluntary additional payment made for good services rendered.

In my opinion, the "kind officer" had no intention of writing me a ticket at the time he pulled me over....this was proven out several times over as I told him at least 6 times to just write the ticket....which Kate translated at least as many times. So he heard it at least a dozen times, yet he opted not to write the ticket....although he pretended to do so.

BG, it wasn't a ploy on my part, it was simply my natural response to resolving the situation....I tend to be pretty law-abiding & straight-arrow.

Knowing Kate, she probably told the poor guy I had no money, but how did he feel about sexual favors in lieu of a ticket? No wonder he gave me back my license, said "No ticket" & got the hell outta there!!

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

...the proceeds...eventually trickle down...benefiting all citizens...

I am duly chastened.

Legs and Kate....good job!

Little suprised tho, if it is the somewhat portly gentlemen on a motorcycle, he's been hanging out there for 5 years. Haven't seen him for a few months.

However, any woman who can't burst into tears at a moment's notice, should put her liberated ego aside and work on her war tactics.

He was a shortish stocky tanned young guy (maybe 40ish or under) with a nice smile.

He may not have been funnin' us about the 1100 peso fine for speeding. In the reglamentos de tránsito it says 20x the minimum wage. If his figure was correct, the minimum wage would be 55 pesos, which is probably about right.

Sounds like the guy. He stopped my husband twice, followed me to the airport exit four times...always in the afternnon. Cruising at the break neck speed of 20 with him following me in the blazing sun.
Love to see him sweat.

Originally Posted by Marty Cortez

It wasn't extortion; you were guilty.

Guilt or innocence doesn't matter -- extortion can be based on an illegal act.

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

Knowing Kate, she probably told the poor guy I had no money, but how did he feel about sexual favors in lieu of a ticket? No wonder he gave me back my license, said "No ticket" & got the hell outta there!!

LOLOL

Good work, Legz!!!

No Dusty, this was a different younger, nicer looking, less gordito guy. But I know who you're talking about, he usually hangs at the intersection of Coloiso & Abasolo. He's a real jerk.

I am surprised at you!!! You of all people!!!! I'm not sure which I find more ludicrous....suggesting any woman cry to avoid a ticket....or suggesting that I do it! Never happened, never will! I cry when my feelings are hurt, over sad movies or books, happy endings....but not on demand.

I like your preventative tactic much better!

To each her own..There's this technique too: Keep some of those chocolate chip cookies in the car.....cram a few in your mouth chew rapidly....do not swallow... with an apporiate expression, .toss your cookies on his shoes as you roll down the window. Ask for directions to the hospital.

From my perspective, Mexico does not have a monopoly on cops who are jerks. I just think of the jerks here as a bit more entrepreneurial.

Originally Posted by Msterieus

Guilt or innocence doesn't matter -- extortion can be based on an illegal act.

The US taxpayers should know that by now!!!

I'm liking this female wiles confessional.

Originally Posted by dusty

To each her own..There's this technique too: Keep some of those chocolate chip cookies in the car.....cram a few in your mouth chew rapidly....do not swallow... with an apporiate expression, .toss your cookies on his shoes as you roll down the window. Ask for directions to the hospital.

Originally Posted by SOD

I'm liking this female wiles confessional.