Helmet Law?

[playaperro]

I would double check on the d/l policy, you might have a problem if the atv is not plated, registered, same as for watercraft.

 

[Landshark]

Thanks Dog, good idea. Hopefully Rosie will see this and respond. If not Ill send her an email.

 

[PitiquitoRosy]

The only way to stop this nonsense is not paying on site. I too, thought this mordida crap was pretty much nipped in the bud. I guess not.

It gets nipped in the bud and then gets revived as everyone relaxes their stance on the matter. Keep in mind that it isn't always the cop who asks for the money. Quite often it's the tourist who says, "Aw c'mon, how about we settle it here?" Both are wrong, but the only way to stop it is for everyone to play by the rules. When you give a cop $40 dollars, you've just complicated the life of the next gringo he stops.

And to Flappy: Yes, they are always open and no, you won't be made to stay until the next business day unless you've committed a crime for which you're being arrested. If that happens you should call 638.386.9081 for free bilingual Visitor Assistance.

Regarding helmets: They are required, but it isn't often enforced. Americans can be stubborn and most don't want to wear helmets. It's sad, but way too many kill themselves here each year on those things...and everyone thinks it won't happen to them. Does anyone recall an accident a few years ago where both parents were killed and the kids were left alone? As the person who will most likely be called to come make sure they scraped all your parts off the pavement and call your next of kin, I wish you'd wear a helmet.

 

[jerry]

The next Mexican I see with a helmet on an Atv will be the first down south.....Dirt bikers are an exception

 

[Landshark]

The only way to stop this nonsense is not paying on site. I too, thought this mordida crap was pretty much nipped in the bud. I guess not.

My impression of mordida is it is a part of the Mexican culture and present in many business transactions, whether they be big or small, or at a private or government level. It appears to me it has been this way for many generations. While I haven't had direct involvement, I've seen it happen. I agree with what is being said about not paying the cops and will ask to go to the station if I ever have a problem, but the reality is I don't think it will change a thing. IMHO.

 

[jerry]

My impression of mordida is it is a part of the Mexican culture and present in many business transactions, whether they be big or small, or at a private or government level. It appears to me it has been this way for many generations. While I haven't had direct involvement, I've seen it happen. I agree with what is being said about not paying the cops and will ask to go to the station if I ever have a problem, but the reality is I don't think it will change a thing. IMHO.

If you are in for the long haul,have a history of employing local people and just hang in there you can avoid paying.Hiring a few sons or cousins goes just as far.

 

[mis2810]

My impression of mordida is it is a part of the Mexican culture and present in many business transactions, whether they be big or small, or at a private or government level. It appears to me it has been this way for many generations. While I haven't had direct involvement, I've seen it happen. I agree with what is being said about not paying the cops and will ask to go to the station if I ever have a problem, but the reality is I don't think it will change a thing. IMHO.

Generations? More like centuries. Cortez showed up in 1519.

 

[Mexico Joe]

I honestly don't know, this happened on the way to Tijuana on a toll road south of San Luis, I WAS speeding. As is customary they take your license and registration to the commandante until it is paid. I was going to be in TJ for about a week and couldn't afford to drive without my documentation. It was impractical for him to follow me for the 40 miles or so then I could pay the court and keep going. He was still on duty. I offered for him to write me the ticket (600 pesos) and mark it paid and then I could have my paper work in hand for my trip to TJ. He said that was a hassle and waived the ticket. Gave me a warning and sent me on my way. I asked if there was anything he needed in return and he said he would love to take his wife to breakfast later.....I gave him a 20 and he said thank you over and over again. This was not mordida this was a thank you for giving me a warning instead of the hassle of going to court when I was in the middle of an important trip. MexicoJoe the only black and white in this life is your disdain for me which I don't understand at all.

Because Russ, only in your eyes is this not a BRIBE! If you just came out and said, "man I was in the middle of nowhere going to TJ and I needed my license so I gave the guy a cash incentive" AKA BRIBE AKA MORDIDA, then I wouldn't have said anything. Just own your sh1t, there's nothing wrong with that, just own it. If you like men, there's nothing wrong with it, just own it. If you give Mexican Police Officers money for CONVENIENCE, there's something wrong with that but I guess it's normal in Mexico, just own it. You didn't get the Cheerleader nickname for no reason and this is exactly why I call you out. Has nothing to do with disdain, it has everything to do with BS.

The king of justification

 

[playaperro]

Back to insurance coverage....So if villa lends me his boat launcher and I hit Ralph G's boat on the way to get my sea doo's am I covered with the D/L policy?

 

[PitiquitoRosy]

Lots of good points here. Made me re-think my insurance coverage. As indicated, I have a driver's license liability insurance policy through ProAlliance Insurance. I am covered in any vehicle, quad, etc. My daughters come down several times a year and I normally buy auto insurance for them just for their trip. Problem is they ride quads and wouldn't have any insurance if there was a problem. ProAlliance told me I could add add'l family members to my DL policy at time of purchase for something like $20 apiece. In hindsight, I should have added them. Last thing you need is your daughter thrown in jail in Mexico. I wonder if the DL policy would cover rental jet skis? My buddie's daughter and her friend rented skis last spring break. The friend crashed into another rental ski damaging both. The rental guy called the cops and she was thrown in jail until her dad came down the next day and paid for the damages, approx $2500. What a nightmare!

Next time you renew, we'll add your daughters if you want. The difference in cost is well worth it for the liability coverage.

There's an important detail here regarding your friend's daughter on the jet skis. The DL policies (or any liability coverage) covers damage, injury or loss to a third party. The owner of a rented quad (or a jet ski) isn't a "third party". Remember as well that even if there had been no damage, if the police wanted to, she could've been held in jail for failing to show proof of Mexican liability coverage.

Your insurance wouldn't pay for repairs to his equipment, so you'd be in the same situation as the kid who had to pay $2,500. I wish someone had thought to call me when she was thrown in jail, it might've helped. Mexico is moving (slowly, to no one's surprise) to require insurance for Mexican nationals as well as foreigners.

 

[PitiquitoRosy]

Back to the helmet law with quads....... So if a gringo rents a quad and has a crash with a Mexican national doing damage to their rusted out POS will the gringo go to jail because of the insurance issue????

According to Mexican law, all foreigners driving in Mexico are required to have Mexican liability coverage. If the police choose to, they can detain you.

 

[PitiquitoRosy]

Since we are on the topic of a quad, who pays for the damage caused by a quad? For example if I hit a vehicle on my quad, is it the responsibility of the owner of the quad to carry insurance? As a renter of the quad, I cannot purchase such a policy? So who is liable for this? We talk about the increase in the liability cap for Mexico (300k) with vehicles, yet I can see a death or major injury just as easily from riding a quad (you hit a pedestrian or another quad). Do these rental agencies have liability insurance? Is the renter using the quad at his own risk? If I do kill someone on my quad, is it best if I just run north of the border (considering I don't have that 300k liability policy on a rental quad or that I risk sitting in jail for not having legal liability as part of the policy?

The quads are exactly the reason many of our clients put full coverage on their vehicles and still purchase a DL policy. That way you've got liability when driving the quad. If you run someone over, though, please do it on a real street. We've not yet had to test how adjusters see it when the vehicle is off-road. This is as good a time as any to point out one more little problem:
Unlike US insurance, in Mexico if you're found to be "under the influence", your insurance is void. Time to call your agent...right away.

 

[PitiquitoRosy]

Though I need to renew mine, you'd be covered driving my Jeep too.

Yep, you expired in March. Just haven't been down?

 

[PitiquitoRosy]

But did I break the law? My kids were wearing helmets but I never heard of a requirement for adults. Yes, the rental places have them but if you check, there are far more vehicles than head gear. The same day we were pulled over, I helped a local ATV rider (and his 3 small dogs) that were stranded on the side of the road out of gas. No helmet for him or his perros either.

I really think this was more of a shakedown - unless someone can confirm there is such a law.

I'll find out whether helmets are required.

 

[PitiquitoRosy]

My impression of mordida is it is a part of the Mexican culture and present in many business transactions, whether they be big or small, or at a private or government level. It appears to me it has been this way for many generations. While I haven't had direct involvement, I've seen it happen. I agree with what is being said about not paying the cops and will ask to go to the station if I ever have a problem, but the reality is I don't think it will change a thing. IMHO.

Oh, it'll change things for sure. People need to realize that going to the police station and paying your fine is easier, faster and cheaper here than in the States. And if you hit a snag...call me. Mordidas might be common, but they are not a part of the culture anymore than the old stereotype of machismo. It takes two to tango. If you refuse to pay on the street, the system has no choice but to adapt. Trust me...they aren't going to fill the jail with gringos.