Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
South America Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!



Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



Like Tree7Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10 Feb 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: London
Posts: 71
Police checkpoints on Ruta 14

I've just spotted this thread and realised that I too had a couple of problems on Ruta 14 back in December 2009. I can't tell you the KM marker but it was between Gualeguaychu and San Jose, so relatively close to Buenos Aires.

I was stopped twice; the first time I was asked for papers, the second I was told that I was doing 130km and had been recorded on a radar. I managed to successfully deal with both incidents trouble free.

I had all my paperwork in order but for the first time in South America the police requested for "seguro" - insurance. I carry a fake laminated international insurance card with details of my bike frame #, registration etc, and then handed a paper supliment to my driving license, which the policeman assumed was the counterpart to my insurance. I was waved on my way.

My advice: carry some kind of fake international insurance card/papers. I have carried mine for 48,000 miles and this is the first time I've had to use them.

The second stop was on a stretch of road that had numerous signs warning of police radars and I was therefore very mindful of my speed. It wasn't long before I was waved down at a police check point. My tactics at police check points are always the same:

Overshoot the police checkpoint. This isolates the policeman from his colleagues and helps any negociation to remain private and allows the policeman the opportunity to wave you on your way without losing face

By over shooting I had time to remove my crash helmet and ingage in a quick and friendly conversation with a truck driver. By the time the policeman arrived I was all smiles and ready to greet him.

I assumed that all the policeman wanted to ask was the normal "how fast, how much" question, so immediately I greeted him with a friendly "como estas". He quickly told me I had been caught in a radar at 130km which I knew was a lie because I had carefully stuck to 100km - I pointed to my GPS and said it was impossible because my GPS recorded my speed... I was still very friendly and with a grin like the cheshire cat. He asked me where I was heading and I used the opportunity to explain I had been to Buenos Aires, that I love his country and that everyone here is "muy sociable"... his chest puffed out a bit.

I should add that my Spanish isn't great and that during the conversation the policeman tried the 130km line on me a couple of times, but I just waved it away with a smile and an "impossible" pointing at my GPS.

Anyway, I was soon waved on my way with a big smile and a handshake from the policeman.

I hope that helps someone
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Feb 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
Posts: 146
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by easyg View Post
.....
Overshoot the police checkpoint. This isolates the policeman from his colleagues and helps any negociation to remain private and allows the policeman the opportunity to wave you on your way without losing face

By over shooting I had time to remove my crash helmet and ingage in a quick and friendly conversation with a truck driver. By the time the policeman arrived I was all smiles and ready to greet him.

I assumed that all the policeman wanted to ask was the normal "how fast, how much" question, so immediately I greeted him with a friendly "como estas". He quickly told me I had been caught in a radar at 130km which I knew was a lie because I had carefully stuck to 100km - I pointed to my GPS and said it was impossible because my GPS recorded my speed... I was still very friendly and with a grin like the cheshire cat. He asked me where I was heading and I used the opportunity to explain I had been to Buenos Aires, that I love his country and that everyone here is "muy sociable"... his chest puffed out a bit.

I should add that my Spanish isn't great and that during the conversation the policeman tried the 130km line on me a couple of times, but I just waved it away with a smile and an "impossible" pointing at my GPS.

Anyway, I was soon waved on my way with a big smile and a handshake from the policeman.

I hope that helps someone

Spanish or no Spanish, this is by far the best way to deal with police - someone should sticky this paragraph up in all the 'border crossings' 'corrupt police theives' alarmist yadda yadda type of conversations here.
95% of the sticky situations are beaten by being friendly, yet assertive.


ps not to say the current thread isn't helpful or relevant. If it helps travellers, I'm all for it.
__________________
The Road To Rio - Locokiwi
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 Apr 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 7
Peru: Police requested insurance papers north of Trujillo

We were both exhausted as we neared Trujillo from the north and stopped before a police checkpoint to take a photo. When we started again we were (naturally) pulled over by the police. They demanded insurance papers – seemingly knowing that it’s not required to have them to get the temporary import papers at the border for the bike. I produced my expired (by 3 months) Mexican insurance and assured the policeman it was valid worldwide. My riding partner wasn’t so lucky and didn’t have any papers to show him, so after 20 minutes of arguing, him reading the traffic regulations to us, and threatening to take us to Huanchaco (our beachside destination near Trujillo) to the police station, he finally let us go with a promise to buy insurance in the morning.

Coordinates of the police stop are:
S 8° 00' 23.28" - W 79° 04' 14.60"
Google map of stop and post are: Kuelap Ruins From Chachapoyas, Peruvian Motorcyle Insurance Shakedown, and Back on the Gringo Trail at Huanchaco on the Peruvian Coast*|*Trip on a KLR650 Motorcycle From Canada to Mexico, Central and South America
__________________
----------
2000 KLR650
trip log: http://tripdown.regioncoding.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 26 May 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Medellin, Colombia
Posts: 17
Corrupt police vs Consulate

I was having a chat with some local lads in Minatitlan, Mexico, and noticed each time the police passed they would flinch or glare. I asked if the Police were good 'Buenos' or bad 'Malos`.
The continued to say that if I was not with them they would likely be subjected to a search, possibly robbed if they had cash.... etc etc.
I aske why my prescence would make a difference, and they responded.... `Because you can call your consulate and comlain and they will get in trouble.'
I have a quad band mobile I bought and had unlocked in Bolivia, and at each border crossing I simply buy a new chip and I`m on the grid again.
Hassle with cops? Pull out the mobile, call, or even pretend to call the `CONSULATE` (make sure this word is said loud and clear so the cops can hear who you`re calling) adn surely this will make them think twice.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 26 May 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,680
I don't smoke but a packet of decent cigerettes/cigars (I've not seen a cop in South America who doesn't smoke) might immediately break the ice with a cheeky copper.

A big smile always helps as does talking about the weather and asking directions in crap Spanish.

Talk to them in a friendly way before they can "try it on".

Human nature usually prevails.
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 7 Aug 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: In many places :)!
Posts: 42
Argentina Ruta 12

POSADA:

2 police cop stopped me at 3 am for a check up and told me since i had my head phones on and no seguro they were gonna confiscate my bike and that i could have paied the fine the next day.

i asked if there was a faster way, maybe , perhaps i can pay the fine here now to them?? he told me he was gonna help me...20 dollars after that i was free to go.

PUERTO IGUAZU:

the next day i meet with 3 other guys from Brasil , by the end of ruta 12 "apparently there are radars" we got caught overtaking a truck on a double line on a corner, no seguro and over the limit.

i am pretty sure there are no radar, the limit on the last 20km is somethinf like 40km/h..... insane...way tooo slow, all the locals truck are doing 100km/h anyway!!! hw said that they also have an other radar but this one wasn't working but the colleague told him we were speeding over the radio.
Total fine..... 1500 Pesos!!!

960 pesos for speeding
250 pesos no seguro
360 pesos overtaking on the double line.


he started entering the data of one of the guy on the computer, didn't ask for the other 3 of us then after a smoke and a long long bollocking he told us we could be let go fro 100pesos each.... we all place them in the drawer of his desk and left.

if it wasn't for the bad overtaking we could have argue a little !!!

QUESTION:
any good soul would like to e mail me a copy of any kind of international licence??


thank you!!!

Of to see Iguazu tomorrowwww!!! Yeahyy!!!P
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 7 Aug 2010
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
Posts: 4,031
You can always argue! Politely, of course....but their demands for a lot of money are just opening offers. Even when you deserve to pay a fine, it never needs to be as much as they first ask.

As I've said before, my conclusion has been that US$5 pays any fine, anywhere in Latin America. A trucker I spoke with in Honduras said that for him, one or two dollars (equivalent) is always enough. So when the cops demand hundreds of bucks, or even twenty.....negotiate. They expect it. You need the practice. It will work.

Mark
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 7 Apr 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 46
Quote:
Originally Posted by easyg View Post

My advice: carry some kind of fake international insurance card/papers. I have carried mine for 48,000 miles and this is the first time I've had to use them.


Overshoot the police checkpoint. This isolates the policeman from his colleagues and helps any negociation to remain private and allows the policeman the opportunity to wave you on your way without losing face

2nd these....
Worked perfectly in many occasions..
__________________
brigginggaps.com.au
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 18 May 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 13
I do not worry about corrupt cops anymore, never paid them anything.

A few days ago I've been asked to stop about 3 or 4 times going down that road, the cop just put 2 fingers on the side like a "please pull over", I just don't stop, I respond by a similar 2 fingers sign that say "hey hello dude" and keep going slowly without stopping, I look back in the mirror see what they do. They've never chased me!!

It's very funny to watch, the cop look at me then do the same sign to the car behind, the car pulls over...
__________________
Current trip: Canada to Ushuaia
http://aventuresdesimon.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 18 May 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 135
I usually wave and honk, unless I'm bored, then I stop and have a few laughs with the guys while they try to get money from me. Dot worry about this kind of stuff, it not a big deal.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 22 May 2011
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Greece, Athens
Posts: 5
I can't believe after all these stories and reports that they're still there doing their thing... Surely someone local in the right position must hear of all this and put an end to it.. It's one thing hearing about a vague checkpoint that something happened, and a whole different story hearing about the same exact km and the same 3 guys ripping tourists off...

I hope they get what's coming to them soon...
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 22 May 2011
javkap's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Buenos Aires - Argentina
Posts: 520
Then where will be the adventure on this flat and boring road???
Well those things don’t work in that way down here…
“Someone local in the right position” are doing the same in a big scale. Or if are good people are worry about important stuffs.
Now at least you are warned, if you don’t get angry or impolite your experience will be just anecdotic.
If tourist are not silly and don't pay they will get tired and quit to stop them…
Just my 2 argie cents.
Saludos
__________________
Javier...
Dakar Motos “ ”

Last edited by javkap; 19 Sep 2011 at 14:24.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 18 Sep 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Des Moines
Posts: 461
Quote:
Originally Posted by javkap View Post
Now at least you are warned, if you don’t get angry or impolite your experience will be just anecdotic.
Yeah right, that is horrible advice for this check point. This checkpoint is definitely different then all the other ones.

It is better to have a few lines of Spanish memorized where you can tell the corrupt cop that you have heard stories about the corruption at this checkpoint.

Another good idea, if you have a fancy camera, is to have it out and ready when you get to this checkpoint and start taking pictures of them when they stop you. Tell them that you are a journalist and are writing an article about the police in Argentina.
__________________
http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 6 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 6 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Police Troubles in Argentina javkap South America 40 20 Mar 2012 21:11
Police hassle in northern Argentina hook Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 8 2 Sep 2006 01:35
Ruta 40, Argentina goggstrotters South America 8 29 Apr 2006 14:10
Police Troubles in Argentina javkap Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 0 14 Nov 2004 07:25
Argentina Police -- need photo ultimatejourney South America 1 14 Jun 2004 18:38

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
New York: October 9-12 NEW!
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

2026 Confirmed Dates:
(get your holidays booked!)

Virginia: April 23-26
Queensland: May 1-4
CanWest: July 9-12

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 20:29.