Argentine traffic police have a camera set up on Ruta 14 at KM 590.

Hubber Jeff got nailed for not having his headlights on at 10:30 AM!

"No hacer uso permanente de las luces bajas encendidas" Ley Naciaonal de transito No 24.449 , Ley Nacional No 25.456.

After the camera takes a picture, the authorities mail the citation to the address of record of the vehicle. But, not right away... the alleged infraction occurred back in March and the paperwork arrived here in Buenos Aires, about 2 weeks ago. November 08.

Good that I looked at it because the fine is $247.00 pesos, $83.00 US dollars, but if not paid by 12 December it jumps to $312.00 pesos (over $100.00 US) and after that payment for the fine will not be accepted, and a summons will be issued to the owner of the vehicle. I have no clue what the penalty will be if this happens. Fines can be paid at any Branch of Banco de la Nacion

The citation included a black and white photo of the front of "Cristina" Jeff's Citroen 3cv. A "color photograph is available by request," it is impossible to determine if the lights are on or off in the black and white.

So turn on your lights on Ruta 14. And, be aware that "Gran Hermano" is watching.

For foreign tourists, without an Argentine mailing address, I suppose the citation is mailed to whatever address is listed on the temporary vehicle import permit. If there is one? This would only be a problem if a camera takes your picture for whatever infraction .... and the time allowed to pay the fine has expired, and your plate was run by the police, then there might be a problem.

An Argentine friend has advised me that these cameras are looking for stolen vehicles/stolen plates. I am not sure how a photograph would assist in recovery of the vehicle/bike, but I do know auto/bike theft is a problem here.

I would not lose any sleep over this, and my purpose in sharing this is to let you know that on Ruta 14 at KM590 Big Brother is watching. xfiltrate

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Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
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This was recently:

adach.cl - Vuelta anticipada por culpa de la Policia !!!!

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Ya verás como quieren en Chile al amigo cuando es forastero (traditional song)

Jose Pedro Espinosa
Santiago, Chile

I could't find the article.
Cheers

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Andres,
´05 BMW DAKAR
´06 BMW DAKAR
´08 BMW DAKAR last year made

My buddy and I were each stopped on Ruta 14 last week. We were headed up to Iguazu from Buenos Aires at the time.

I was waved over by a young cop that had me for not having my lights on. I was sent into an office trailer where a more senior officer tried to get 225 Pesos from me. When I leaned across the desk and told him that I would pay him nothing (while slashing the air between us with my hand) he was very surprised. My buddy, Don, stood outside the door and took photos of the guy trying to get money from me. Eventually he let me go.

Further north on Ruta 14, Don was stopped and told that a radar had him speeding. When Don pointed out that they didn't have a radar gun, the cop said that the radar had been at another location. Then he changed his mind and said that Don's headlight was not on. They were determined to come up with anything.

Don was sent into another office where he played dumb with an older officer until they started getting frustrated with him. Don took out his camera and boldly took the photo of the cop trying to get money from him, then turned and took a photo of the senior cop who stood off to the side. The senior cop went a got a camera and took Don's photo. Don laughed at them at that point. They quickly got frustrated with him and let him go. I stood outside the office taking photos but they wouldn't let me go inside.

When Don left, another motorist they had stopped went in with money in her hand and came back out in 15 senconds without the money. She was obviously a local and she knew the scam. She refused to speak to any of the police. She was in her car before we were back on our bikes.

There were maybe 15 or more police checkpoints on Ruta 14, and we got stopped a few times and simply asked where we were going. The police in green uniforms seemed to be more professional and never messed with us.

When I get my ride report caught up, the photos I mentioned above will be included.

I'm currently in Buenos Aires looking for a replacement KLR650 motor, since someone took the oil cap off my motor at a tire shop and I rode off without realizing it. The motor is now toasted and it'll be faster and cheaper to replace than to rebuild. The bike is now at Dakar Motos, but my wife is here now and we have an apartment for the week.

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Done with Prudhoe Bay and Ushuaia.

http://www.errant-ronin.com/PrudhoeBayUshuaia.htm

We were traveling by 2 pickups and I was hit for 800 pesos, had just came out of a gas station and had forgotten to turn ont the headlight and they stopped me for that then got all bent out of shape due to the rear tire carrier.
When I ask to see the law the offiser pull out an old torn book and show me the law but the says it has changed and must pay. Due to time issues and traveling with two other vehicles I ended up paying. This guy SUCKS!

Travel on!

I don't kwon why the ADACH forum go to front page, but if you look in Google for "Vuelta anticipada por culpa de la Policia !!!!" you will find it.

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Ya verás como quieren en Chile al amigo cuando es forastero (traditional song)

Jose Pedro Espinosa
Santiago, Chile

Feb. 1 On the way up on Ruta 14 there were 7 check points, only had to stop and tell them where I was going once. I have no idea what they are looking for, maybe it is one of those make work projects. No problems at 341 just waved on. It may just have been Sunday and they thought that stealing on Sunday was bad or the National Police may have got the bad apples out. Being new to this I was ready to spend a couple of hours saying "no pay"

Feb. 2 got up to Ruta 12, town of Capiovi where I filled up with gas. As I pulled out to get back on Ruta 12 I was waved over by two police. Seems I had made an illegal turn and I needed to pay them a fine. What little Spanish I have went away and they soon gave up and away I went. Only to be followed out of town be little police van. It finally passed me and waved me over this time (different set of police) said I had been speeding. Again no Spanish so one of them called a girl who spoke English and handed me the phone she told me I had to pay them before I could leave. I told her that at the Border they said never pay police or I get in big trouble (not true but sounded good). Just kept saying "no pay police" and indicated that they should go ahead and write the ticket and I would pay at border, it seemed they did not want to actually write the ticket because then there would be a record. One had removed his name tag (Velcro) but the other had his, so I got out my note pad and pen. He now had to go to van then came back without name tag. Finally they gave up and let me go, was a lot of fun and better than dealing with the Washington State Patrol who no longer care what the law is and just want to shaft someone (long story for another day).

So it seems that corruption continues up here but they were not wanting to be identified and did not push real hard so there may be some cleanup efforts underway. Other than this Argentina has been a great place to ride with really good people.

Road Hog

Normally, I never argue with a cop about whether to pay or not. When advised of my infraction, I politely ask to pay the fine there, which of course is immediately agreed to. Then I innocently had them a credit card. Unable to accept my credit card, I then apologize and hand them a travelers check which is followed by demands for cash.

Showing them my dummy wallet containing only small change, I then keep repeating, "Please charge this to my credit card" until they give up.

This has worked all over the world except in Argentina where, seven years ago, cops north of BA were very insistent playing the no-insurance issue--even took me back to the cement room and laid a pistol on the table.

I held firm, acknowledging my crime, but had no cash to pay. It took awhile but they let me go. At a restaurant up the road, when relating the story to locals, they pleaded with me to report the incident to higher authorities as the only way to put a stop to this. Unsure of what problems this could create further up the road, I just continued to Brazil without further incident.

At least for bikers, it's important that we always put up some defense against this type of police criminal activity. Pretty soon, cops will realize that we are not worth the trouble and seek softer targets.

So far, in numerous years roaming the planet, I've only paid twice. Once in Peru when stopped by cops on Harelys for speeding. (I was) They were so frustrated that someone who was actually guilty did not have money to pay, they took me back to their base to consult with their commander. After a brief mediation, the citing officer eventually agreed to accepting a scratched up pair of old sunglasses.

The next was in Malawi, when caught riding a few blocks with my helmet sitting on my tank instead of my head. I had been asking directions several times and just decided to leave it off temporarily. This was not acceptable to barefoot constables dressed only in ragged shorts. "Riding without a helmet is a very serious crime in Malawi and you must pay a fine."

When agreeing to pay the fine if they would provide a receipt, they claimed that, the receipt book would not be available until the next day. "No problem, I'll return tomorrow to pay the seven dollar fine."

If that was the case, then they demanded to impound my bike for the night. Since we were right next to the police station and my hotel was only a few blocks away, I agreed if they would escort me back to my room. Once back in my room, I broke out my laptop for a quick slideshow and bought them a . The next morning, I paid the fine, got a receipt and they unchained my bike with those great African smiles.

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Understanding the world through adventure travel.
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Anyone out there know where to send reports about police corruption in Argentina. I would write up my experience there and send in. If everyone did this I think we could put a lot of pressure on them to clean up the problem areas.

I fly home (Washington State, USA) today from BA but would send report in if I can get address.

Road Hog

Anybody know what province Km No.341 is in? It is hard to find out on any map I have.

Blair

The province is Entre Ríos, near to the border with Corrientes province...

Kind of what I thought. As it stands now I will be traveling there for a wedding and most likely be seeing the Governor of that Province. If he is not there, I will make sure somebody hears about it.
Blair

I knew there was a reason i logged on when possible. Will try and learn the same phrases for 2 weeks time. Three of us on KLR´s will pass that way then.

Thanks alot guys, will let you know the result.

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brigginggaps.com.au

Hey flyde, where you headed and where you coming from?
I found a good bypass of this area but it dependeds on your route.
If you have no plan for BA and are heading to or from Bariloche, there is a good route thru Rosario.
If headed south out of Paso de Los Libres take 14 to Cuatro Bocas then take 127 west to 6. Take 6 south to 39, take 39 west to 26, take 26 south to Rosario. From Rosario take 33 south to Trenque Lauquen there you will hit 5.

There were only 2 checkpoints incountered, one 14 just south out Paso be Los Libres (of course) and one at Sauce de Luna at the intersection of 127 and 6. There was only one area of bad road (pot holes) and you get out of all the construction and checkpoints on 14.
33 from Rosario to Trenque Lauquen was most through farm land and must better scenary the 14,

Ride on!

we got stopped here too back in january 2009 heading north at the same check point. we were asked to go into the little station where a policeman tried to sting us for a 360 pesos fine for overtaking on double yellow lines which we had not done. we were two bikes at the time and he could not tell us which bike it was that had infringed. i asked for evidence that we had done this and he obviously could not produce anything so we refused to pay and said that it was illegal what he was asking from us.

his next angle was the paperwork, asking for insurance papers. we just handed over photocopies of our ozzie rego papers in english and said that these were international insurance papers...he could not read english and got pretty frustrated and soon gave up on us and sent us on our way. whatever you do, don´t hand over your passport as they could easily hold you for it.