Ignore the cop????

[ReadyTRock]

July 1 will be my first trip to PDC. This is a great web site, with tons of good information, but I've encountered one thing which I would very much like explained to me. It is something written by the author/creator of this web site. From the site's home page, selecting READ MORE, then PRACTICAL INFO, then GETTING AROUND, in the section titled Driving in Playa, it says:

"Your best bet is to watch the traffic flow, drive defensively, and if a cop walks up to your window to stop you, just ignore him, smile and drive away. Seriously! "

In my experience, ignoring a cop and driving away is akin to writing your own invitation to land your booty in the slammer. In my case, there probably would be a language barrier, but drive away? Can someone help me understand?

Jerry

[james]

in other words, don't engage them.

a cop on foot, if ignored, is soon in your rear view mirror, where you want him.

your experience, if it's from Colorado, is likely not very useful here in Mexico.

[tommy]

well I first read that and was confused but being in Playa on many trips I have seen some of the cop's there talking to tourist.....The ones that stop and talk tend to get in more trouble then the ones that keep on moving......I also have to trust James as he has been there for years now...he knows the workings of Playa as well as the workings of Mexico as I think he has spent some time in many parts of Mexico.....I know if they approach me I will drive off if they chase me down I will stop and pretend I thought they told me to move on......

[CalifGuy]

You will find the most street cops on Juarez. My first and last pullover cost me $20 USD, after that I learned to just look the other way, make a turn and step on the gas.

[james]

August will be 11 years, actually 4 years in the DF, 6 months in Guadalajara, the rest here in Playa.

Once in Guadalajara I made an illegal turn (the only way in this intersection) and ended up at a red light. Of course, this was a favorite place for this one cop to hang out, and he walked right up to my car window as I waited for the light to change. He started talking to me about the turn, and I gave him an index finger, like, "wait a second" as I spoke in English quickly to him to confuse things. I pretended to look around the passenger side of the car briefly as I waited for the light to change. When it did, I turned to him and said "Thank you, bye!" and drove away as I waved.

Plausible deniability is your strategy.

[ReadyTRock]

James, I like the way you think!!! Thanks to all for clearing that up for me.

[Michael]

Colorado is very relevant as it is the backdrop the movie vanishing point.

But seriously, there are cops all over the Juarez intersections directing traffic. If you get “pulled over” by one of these cops on foot, please don’t stop. How can you be certain he what he wants; and with your rental car, you try to hit the brake you end up with your foot on the gas, happens all the time. Its not your fault, you are just not familiar with the car and the Spanish language hand gestures etc etc. What you are certain of is they don’t have radios and you will be forgotten by the cop in a matter of minutes.

I was a potential liability in traffic amongst these cops on foot, until I learned the simple rule as explained by James. I have a different approach with cops in cars, (cos I’m not Kowalski) but the James rule for cops on foot really is the best approach. You can be sure I won’t be clogging the intersection, practicing Spanish with the local police force. I encourage everyone else to keep driving also. You are on vacation you don’t have time to mess around………(and you really don’t need to).

I became a much safer driver, after graduating from the James driving school.

[sstevens]

By the way, was in Playa in 1st week of February. The police now have new toys!! Radar Guns! They use them to "shoot you" as you drive in on 307 from either direction.

I was lucky enough to talk my way out of it! ( VERY Lucky, humble as hell and sincere apology ) but they will take your license and you have to pick it up at police station and pay fine there. I asked about on the spot "Mortdida" and that was a definite no no.

So becareful and use a light foot.

[james]

In most cases, the posted speeds are too fast around here anyway.

[ran]

Ignoring works! Was hopelessly lost in Merida and it was almost dark. Went flying through a residential area over a few topes (WHAM, oh well, its a rental!) and heard a whoop! whoop! in the background...my husband was saying "its a cop, its a cop!!!" I kept driving...

I like it...

[Dale]

Well, 307 is not the only place the radar gun hangs out. This shot is right out in front of La Tortuga. It may have been the first time they were there (May '03), because it created a small crowd of local onlookers. I'm still trying to figure out how they caught anybody. You could see them from two blocks away and they had the orange cones in the road. The only thing they didn't have was the flashing lights on the cop cars in the middle of the road like they had on 307.

BTW, do they still have the cop lights going? Or have they started hiding?

[james]

Good one, Dale! (said like Garth)

I remember when they were doing that. It was quite a popular topic of conversation. I haven't seen them set up there in quite a while.

I'm all for legit speed control.

[JimmyMN]

A few years ago, a vehicle was necessary to effectively tour the Mayan Riviera but with the advent of better public transportation, I really see no reason for a rental unless you're heading beyond Tulum or to the interior of the Yucatan. Now days, the police are everywhere in PDC and they're a whole new breed. At Agora, the restaurant at La Tortuga, I often see a makeshift classroom where the police and other city personnel attend English class. When they start learning Italian, German, Dutch and Swedish, it'll be time for me to find a new destination. In the meantime, you can still pull off the stupid gringo trick but probably not for long. Time to polish up your pig latin if you want to extend that time frame...

My share of payola has never exceeded a grand total of $50 and that's been for the likes of speeding (2 times), too many passengers in the car (2 times), wrong way on a one-way (2 times), red light (in Cancun), and using the outdoor bathroom (in Cancun). If I could get such a deal in the US, I'd be thrilled!! Can you believe I have no violations on record here in 5 years?

I also abide by the philosophy of displaying the worlds biggest smile and a friendly wave as I drive away from the officer on foot. Works everytime!!

Now, if you're being stalked on foot by the likes of these guys, you might want to check if your flack jacket is ballistically approved...

[Weave]

Great picture!!
I just dropped my taco...

[angella]

okay, jimmy, i just want to know what you DID to get that photo *hee hee*