Caught Speeding: No Bribery

[Artegal 1]

Yeah so yesterday I was running my Wife downtown to the University where she is taking Intensive English courses. Anyway I was caught speeding: 57 in a 35. Well the wife says to me like how fast were you going? And I said 57. And she was like so just give the "policia" $50, and lets go.

Anyway I said to her, look the police officer does not determine the fine--the judge will in court at a later date. And she was like okay but how long will this guy take to give you the ticket. I had to explain to her the power trip of how traffic cops like to hold you up for a good 15 minutes or so, as to show how speeding didn't get you to your destination any faster.

Well I thought it was a good experience for her--so I explained to her rights. That she must show the driver's license and proof of insurance when the police officer ask for it. Also how you must pull over to a safe area on the side of the road or off the road.

But this is one thing that is very different between my Wife's country and the USA. Here there is more money, technology, and manpower spent enforcing traffic laws then any other law in the land. Its like the opposite in other countries. I guess we set our priorities. 20,000 murders per year on average in the USA. Billions of dollars in drugs and other contraband, 20,000,000 illegal aliens, and millions of identity fraud and theft cases. But our streets will be safe without speeders.

Edited June 29, 2006 by Artegal

[JenT 0]

I just talked myself out of two tickets in the last 4 weeks.

[Jaylen Brit 0]

speeders kill people too - so do drunk drivers.

[Garfield fan 0]

I can totally relate with your experience. I come from a country where we can always get away from getting traffic violation tickets. Sometimes I ask my hubby if there is any way to do the same thing here (eventhough I knew already that it's close to impossible, that bribery doesn't work here, bla bla bla... ), but still it's fun to just ask and see what his reaction will be... hehehe

[chri'stina 190]

Sujeet very much appreciates the law enforcement here, after coming from a country where most cops are corrupt and take bribes constantly. He also likes seeing traffic rules enforced, since Indian traffic is chaos. He said in India, the presence of a cop makes no one feel safe due to their corruption, so he thinks it's cool how there is much more respect for the police, etc here because usually(not always of course) they mean well in protecting you or fellow citizens, and aren't out just to make bribe money.

[Vagina Journey 0]

I can totally relate with your experience. I come from a country where we can always get away from getting traffic violation tickets. Sometimes I ask my hubby if there is any way to do the same thing here (eventhough I knew already that it's close to impossible, that bribery doesn't work here, bla bla bla... ), but still it's fun to just ask and see what his reaction will be... hehehe

He/she can slap another violation on you I learned that the hard way! $350.oo and that was 12 years ago

[Garfield fan 0]

I can totally relate with your experience. I come from a country where we can always get away from getting traffic violation tickets. Sometimes I ask my hubby if there is any way to do the same thing here (eventhough I knew already that it's close to impossible, that bribery doesn't work here, bla bla bla... ), but still it's fun to just ask and see what his reaction will be... hehehe

He/she can slap another violation on you I learned that the hard way! $350.oo and that was 12 years ago

Ooopppss, I meant it's fun to ask hubby and see how my hubby would react. He still thinks it's "funny" that someone can bribe cops in my country... but he agreed that if we could do the same thing here, it would save us from a lot of "small" troubles... haha... we were just kidding...

[almaty 19]

I just talked myself out of two tickets in the last 4 weeks.

good job sister jen

[mrsushi66 0]

57 in a 35... sorry but the cop was not powertripping he was doing his job and holding you up was your fault for doing 57 in a 35. Believe me I am not pro government or pro police but I do respect the job they do.

I hope I set a better example for for my soon to be wife and US citizen.

Paul

[desert_fox 32]

You should have laid 50 bucks on the cop...then she would have seen how the system really works.

[raphael7546 0]

Yeah so yesterday I was running my Wife downtown to the University where she is taking Intensive English courses. Anyway I was caught speeding: 57 in a 35. Well the wife says to me like how fast were you going? And I said 57. And she was like so just give the "policia" $50, and lets go.

Anyway I said to her, look the police officer does not determine the fine--the judge will in court at a later date. And she was like okay but how long will this guy take to give you the ticket. I had to explain to her the power trip of how traffic cops like to hold you up for a good 15 minutes or so, as to show how speeding didn't get you to your destination any faster.

Well I thought it was a good experience for her--so I explained to her rights. That she must show the driver's license and proof of insurance when the police officer ask for it. Also how you must pull over to a safe area on the side of the road or off the road.

But this is one thing that is very different between my Wife's country and the USA. Here there is more money, technology, and manpower spent enforcing traffic laws then any other law in the land. Its like the opposite in other countries. I guess we set our priorities. 20,000 murders per year on average in the USA. Billions of dollars in drugs and other contraband, 20,000,000 illegal aliens, and millions of identity fraud and theft cases. But our streets will be safe without speeders.

Sorry, but you deserve what you get ! You were speeding quite a bit over the limit. The cop wasn't power-tripping. Maybe you should teach your wife how to respect the laws instead of making it out like the cops the bad guy. there's no excuse for going that much over the limit. Laws are in place for a reason.

BTW.... My husband is in law enforcement and I am proud of the job he does. He doesn't "power trip " as you call it. The Police Don't get to set "our Priorities" The government does. If you want that to change then do something about it. Contact your congressmen , become active in block watch, MADD etc...

[Ladylethal 12]

Here in Brasil it´s more likely they´ll rather be bribed than fine you, ´cus if we bribe them, they get money on the side, if they fine us, they were just doing their job.

[Anyta Holland 1]

Here in Brasil it´s more likely they´ll rather be bribed than fine you, ´cus if we bribe them, they get money on the side, if they fine us, they were just doing their job.

Venezuela is all the same! The cops actually set mobile checking points close to bank holidays/public holidays so they can get a bit more spending money when taking the families on a day out.

I do not condone this though... I actually have never done it... I remember once I was driving from work to home, and the car was on my dad's name, I had written permit from him to drive it, but it was not notarised. Anyway, I pass by a checking point, and the cop asks me if I am the owner, I said my dad was, he asked me if I was authorised to drive the car, I said yes, he then asked me if the permit was notarised, I said no... To which he said, I can have your car towed right now and it'll take you a lot of time and money to get out, did you know that? I said yes, he said, unless you want to sort it out in another way? I said no, I'd rather you took my car... You should have seen his face! It was idyllic! He said, I will let you off this time...

Can't stand bribery! But I do understand that is part of the culture of many latin american countries, and if people decide to abide by that "law" that is their call... And certainly is not for me to judge them... My guess? They have probably never seen the law put into place...

[Ladylethal 12]

I don´t either. I usually say "Just get my ticket already or I´ll report you (looking at his tag) for stalling me in order to be bribed" ´cus they usually hold you a looooooong time until you get impatient enough to just pay them to go away.

[Artegal 1]

Sorry, but you deserve what you get ! You were speeding quite a bit over the limit. The cop wasn't power-tripping. Maybe you should teach your wife how to respect the laws instead of making it out like the cops the bad guy. there's no excuse for going that much over the limit. Laws are in place for a reason.

BTW.... My husband is in law enforcement and I am proud of the job he does. He doesn't "power trip " as you call it. The Police Don't get to set "our Priorities" The government does. If you want that to change then do something about it. Contact your congressmen , become active in block watch, MADD etc...

Anyone in a position of authority over others is in a corrupt position--and therefore subject to power trips. No one joins the police because they want to fight crime. They join it because they enjoy the power it gives them over others. The right to break the law and enforce the law over others. The right to carry a fire arm and use it at the slightest transgression. The right to seize property for the flimsiest of evidence or suspicion. The right to coerce, plant evidence, and frame suspects. Every cop I have met was the type of person that thrives on controlling others. That's why suicide, domestic and child abuse in the law enforcement community is much greater than in other career fields.