Rice, hamburger patty, brown gravy. There are supposed to be lots of variations, including all kinds of other meats thrown in for good measure, or as in this case, some noodles and potato salad, in case the Moco Loco didn't give you enough of an artery clogging on it's own... Gustavo
The following advice is only for local cops, not for highway police called POLICIA FEDERAL.(they are much more expensive) Generally speaking even for a mexican if you are pulled over in another state of your driver licence you cannot be fined by the local cop. Nor can they holding your paper. So the legal way is to escort you to the near police station were you are going to pay your fine. The cost of the fine is defined by the minimun wage and by now the most expensive (not to drive with alcohol in blood, this is 24 hrs in jail and 150 usd) will be as $ 250.00 pesos or 20 dollars. Then when you pay, as you are paying before 1 week of the fine there is a 50% discount. So i think there are two situation: You did nothing at the police office is trying to steal from you So be calm. Be sorry even if you did nothing and do not try to birbe. After a few minutes ask him that you want to go to the local police to pay for your ticket. Generally after that, if the patrolman is by himself you will have your papers back, because he cannot live his place. If you have a patrol car he will see how are you determined and after two blocks it will stop and return your driver license. This is because he and you are going to spend at least one our in the police office and time is money for the cops. You will be asking for refresco money (money for a soda) you can give everithing you want, 20 pesos not in coin but in paper are welcome. After 4 blocks if he do not stop and you do not want to go to the police station beep your horn, and tell him to pull over. Ask how much is the fine. That you know that for passing a red light you pay the last time with the discount (you are telling him that tou allready did this and you are not afraid) is 150 pesos as 10 usd and you are willing to give to him the money so he can pay the ticket for you. If you never yeald at him and you were polite he will take it and go away. YOU ARE GULTY Tell him that you are very sorry and you will not make it again and... do all the above. This really work. Becarful in some place like playa del Carmen if you are not wearing an helmet you must live your bike and go for it. There is no way to escape this law. No money involve just orders from head of police.
And always, How much does it cost?? No, same experience with me, either they lead you or they draw a map. Once I got shook down for "speeding" in a "school zone". OK, small mordida, now can you show me the way to such and such road. Sure, follow us. After taking me there we went over my maps together and they gave tips. We left each other as friends.
I can see you guys lining up to pay a mordida already... This is exactly why people say that driving in the DF is dangerous... Gustavo
I'm probably going to repeat what's already been said since I'm not to the end of this thread yet. +1 I think his riding partner got just what he deserved for being such an ass-hole. Well, said. I agree 100%. The thing about riding solo is you probably will start out that way but will find all kinds of fellow members of this asylum who you meet up with along the way. You can often ride with them ... or not. It's up to you and there should be no hard feelings if you decide to continue solo. Same thing if you ride with them and decide your styles are different and start going it alone again. My last trip in Latin America was a combination of riding with others and riding alone and it was fun both ways. If you're alone it's probably best to avoid the large cities as has been suggested. Just do that and use common sense and you'll have a great time. Guaranteed!
