careyeroslib
Jul 3, 2012, 3:04 PM
Post #5 of 20
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Re: [chicois8] Auto windshield stickers
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We´re from Vallarta too and I feel your pain. It´s no fun, but here´s my advice to avoid getting stopped and what to do if you get stopped.
With respect to your specific question, I always keep a look-out to see the license plates of those who have been stopped by Transito and I see no evidence that they single out rentals or foreign-plated cars. You just need a strategy, whatever your plates.
On Highway 200, near the airport, always drive at least 3 km below the speed limit. I believe it is 60, so go 57. Check for the sign, but I think that´s right. Even though other cars whiz past, don´t you. Drive like an old lady. Let them catch someone else. Be careful of sudden speed limit changes such as just after you cross the bridge from Nayarit (There is a Plaza called Plaza Canalán). Suddenly the speed limit changes to 30 km/hr. There is a school there so I think someone was killed. This sign is not obvious. I know about it and always slow down even though others whiz by. There are other sudden changes such as on Fluvial Road near Costco (40 instead of 50.
Be careful also of sudden changing lights and giant intersectionsi. Try to stop if you can. Again, they aren´t terribly tolerant about people going through on orange lights even though, many times, it´s almost impossible not to.
Crawl over speed bumps.
If you are stopped, be very polite and smile. If you can, speak Spanish. If you are sure you haven´t done anything wrong, politely insist. I usually say I never speed and wouldn´t think of breaking any laws (as I smile). Never get mad or insist on your rights. Occasionally a cop will be a jerk, but don´t rise to the bait. My husband, in April, went through on an orange light just north of Plaza Marina. He got stopped and the cop kept saying "Mentiras, muchas mentiras" with big grandiose threatening gestures. My husband just said "No mentiras" (No lies). He let us go. No ticket.
If they want to give you a ticket, take it. Give them your licence and they will give you a receipt. Everybody in Vallarta does that. We have been to Las Juntas twice. It´s close to Home Depot. The fine is half what is printed on the ticket (always), the procedure is fast, you get your licence back and are on your way.
I can´t stress enough that in Puerto Vallarta at least you can´t go with the speed of traffic or even 3 km over the speed limit. Not like in my part of Canada, Ontario, where everybody, cops included, go 10 km over the limit in urban areas and 20 on Higihway. In Vallarta. always go a bit below. It works. It really does.
Hope this helps.
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