Saturday afternoon, at approximately 4:30pm, my family and friends were riding ATVs near the Reef. We were pulled over by Policia truck number 045. The officer claimed it is the law that all riders wear helmets. My kids were wearing helmets but I have never heard of a law requiring head gear for adults. He took $40 of our cash and let us go.
I don't know of any law, but it may exist. Your mistake was paying a fine directly to the officer. You should have requested to be directed to the Police station and paid your penalty there with a receipt given to you. Odds are you wouldn't have paid a dime.
I beleive there is a helmet law on the books here. The rental places all supply helmets. Enforcement is spotty but yes go to court, most of the time when you say you want to go to court they let you go with a warning. They do not want to waste time sitting in court when they could be out collecting from someone else.
Saturday afternoon, at approximately 4:30pm, my family and friends were riding ATVs near the Reef. We were pulled over by Policia truck number 045. The officer claimed it is the law that all riders wear helmets. My kids were wearing helmets but I have never heard of a law requiring head gear for adults. He took $40 of our cash and let us go.
Is there such a law? I appreciate your feedback.
Try this next time a cop tries to shake you down. "what, I cant under stand you, what????" Do it about 3 times and he will let you go.
Thanks for all your input. We thought about going to the police station but in reality, $40 is a small price to pay to keep riding and not waste a few hours. We were pulled over around 4:30pm on a Saturday. Is the courthouse even open that late? Would they potentially make us stay there until the next business day?
If it's any consolation Flappy - three of my fishing buddies got taken for $40 this weekend, too -- not for helmets, but for the infamous "phantom" stop sign. They said take it to court, cop took drivers license and led the way. On the way, the cop pulled over and re-approached them with "Are you sure you don't want to work this out NOW for $40?" They gave in and paid him.
I thought Penasco had weeded out most of this mordida crap from their police force. Apparently not. We only know about those willing to post here; I'm sure there's even more of it we never hear about.
Thanks for all your input. We thought about going to the police station but in reality, $40 is a small price to pay to keep riding and not waste a few hours. We were pulled over around 4:30pm on a Saturday. Is the courthouse even open that late? Would they potentially make us stay there until the next business day?
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.
I don't pay them but it serves a purpose here for the locals. If they get stopped and taken to court many cannot pay the fine and the vehicle is impounded, they they can't pay the impound fee and lose the vehicle. They pay a smaller amount of course. Friend was stopped, no tag. A working family man he needs a vehicle. He had a total of 5 pesos on him. They took it and let him go. He still has the vehicle and is working.
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.
I don't think this is mordida in this case, it is a convenience fee. He stated 40 was a good deal not to go downtown so it was obviously a meeting of the minds. I once bought breakfast for a Federale and his wife so that I didn't have to retrieve my registration in San Luis 4 days after my trip......mordida or convenience?
I don't think this is mordida in this case, it is a convenience fee. He stated 40 was a good deal not to go downtown so it was obviously a meeting of the minds. I once bought breakfast for a Federale and his wife so that I didn't have to retrieve my registration in San Luis 4 days after my trip......mordida or convenience?
I don't think this is mordida in this case, it is a convenience fee. He stated 40 was a good deal not to go downtown so it was obviously a meeting of the minds. I once bought breakfast for a Federale and his wife so that I didn't have to retrieve my registration in San Luis 4 days after my trip......mordida or convenience?
In every case a mordida is convenience, that is exactly what it is! SMH just because it's convenient doesn't mean that it isn't a MORDIDA and not frowned upon! SMH
Hey, Roberto...Where was this convenience and mordida stuff when I got pulled over? Of course there were three cops, all pre-puberty and well armed.
They knew they had the Green Valley Desperado so there wasn't any monkey business. At the time I was a bit concerned but now as I look back on it,
it was quite an experience and I chuckle to myself every time I think of it and the joy it has given you over the years.
FYI, a stop sign violation is now $1200 Pesos at the station. A local friend got pulled over and went to the station to pay it. The increase in fines came as quite a shock.
Russ, is it against the law for law enforcement to accept payment on the spot?
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.
FYI, a stop sign violation is now $1200 Pesos at the station. A local friend got pulled over and went to the station to pay it. The increase in fines came as quite a shock.
Wow, my stop light was $55.00. But that was three or four years ago.
FYI, a stop sign violation is now $1200 Pesos at the station. A local friend got pulled over and went to the station to pay it. The increase in fines came as quite a shock.
Jim,
Something does not seem right. I paid a speeding ticket at the court 3 months ago (going 5mph over). I paid $30 for the ticket. $100 or so for a ticket seems like some corruption was going on. It would be great since you are on the ground floor if you could research with the courts what typical tickets cost and the procedure for paying them. Maybe something to add to a future newsletter. I know we are all confused.
I came home from the dump one day a couple weeks ago. I offloaded my trailer into my garage. I quickly parked my jeep in front of the house. I went in to use the bathroom and I heard the honking of the police truck. I came out and he was writing me a ticket for parking the wrong way on a public street. It couldn't have been parked wrong for more than 5 minutes. He stated that he had already started writing the ticket so it had to be. I threw a fit and turned my jeep around, (mind you I live on a dirt street in a typical neighborhood) we had a few words with each other as I thought this was just crazy. I went to the police station to complain and se the judge, the girl at reception informed me that the judge doesn't review non-moving violations but that I get a discount if I pay that day. The ticket was 1350 pesos, so 675 would be the fine. I said that it was un-just and that I won't pay it until I talk to someone. She secretly told me to go talk to the city treasurer office and see what they can do. I drove down to the office and explained my situation. They said they didn't have the power to waive the ticket in it's entirety but that they would further discount it as it seemed out of order. I had to go back and pay 130 pesos to the police for a ticket that was just silly. FYI park the right way on the streets all the time even if no one else is. By the way all the fines are clearly posted in the police station lobby!
Russ here is what Rosy wrote about people like you that still pay"You are angry at those who resist to play the dirty little game that you are so much a part of. And you're so used to (used to, but not necessariloy good at) using reverse-psychology (feigning ignorance, acting like you have no money, etc.) that you're actually trying to use it on us by acting as though you're defending the ideals of Mexico. With deference to Joe's favorite avatar, you've shown your ass. You are selfish, disrespectful and not very bright. If anyone here wanted advice, why would we take it from you?
Russ here is what Rosy wrote about people like you that still pay"You are angry at those who resist to play the dirty little game that you are so much a part of. And you're so used to (used to, but not necessariloy good at) using reverse-psychology (feigning ignorance, acting like you have no money, etc.) that you're actually trying to use it on us by acting as though you're defending the ideals of Mexico. With deference to Joe's favorite avatar, you've shown your ass. You are selfish, disrespectful and not very bright. If anyone here wanted advice, why would we take it from you?
Read my post on what took place, I was willing to pay, I accepted the fault but I wanted to take care of it in a way that wouldn't make it illegal to drive the rest of the way to TJ. Sorry if you don't get it, I was not being smug, I was searching for a legal solution to the matter.
I still say that the "custom" is the result of Americans being too quick to take the easiest way out of a situation by throwing dollars at it. The decision to pay or not pay when pulled over is a personal one, but one should always be aware that when you do that, you're assuring that the next gringo the cop sees will also represent an easy $20 bucks. This grows the problem and affects those of us who truly want to improve the system for everyone.
The art is playing like you might pay cash,might go to the station but trying to get off with a breakfast,a soda or a snack....I would have done the same thing...
Russ, I'm surprised you didn't know that parking on the wrong side of the road was a easy way to get a ticket because it's been that way since way before you moved there. Maybe they were just trying to recoup the replacement price of the Mayer's rear window in his suburban, after all
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's called "Casinos". These cops are either losing money at the casino and recouping their losses, or, they are pulling people over to get money to take to the casinos.
Gambling always breed corruption and from what I have heard, there are a lot of Penasco folk losing their tail, and their livelihoods in the Casinos.
Back in June of 96 a friend wouldn't take my advice and parked on the wrong side of the street to purchase some beer while I was sitting in the car. To make a short story short, we followed them to the station and it cost him $40.
Same here Kenny, a few years ago a friend we were with and two other people parked on the wrong side of the road at the same time. It was a caravan to the station. One was even a quad.
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????
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?
I have a driver's license liability policy through Proalliance. It covers me while driving my pickup, or my quad. Should cover me while riding a rental quad as well. Right Rosie??
I don't think this is mordida in this case, it is a convenience fee. He stated 40 was a good deal not to go downtown so it was obviously a meeting of the minds. I once bought breakfast for a Federale and his wife so that I didn't have to retrieve my registration in San Luis 4 days after my trip......mordida or convenience?
Ha, you're a funny guy Russ.. A convenience fee. Hell yes it was "a meeting of the minds" and it's called a bribe any way you cut it. When you break the law and you put money in a cops hand to circumvent the law no matter who's mind met who's, it's a bribe.
I have a driver's license liability policy through Proalliance. It covers me while driving my pickup, or my quad. Should cover me while riding a rental quad as well. Right Rosie??
Though I need to renew mine, you'd be covered driving my Jeep too.
... When you break the law and you put money in a cops hand to circumvent the law no matter who's mind met who's, it's a bribe.
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.
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.
Who knows if you broke the law or not. Really doesnt matter, the cop wanted your money and he got it. Sh*t happens....every now & then you get screwed over. The law of averages says your good for awhile so enjoy!
Yes helmet law will be enforced, even penasco's best have to wear them
Circulating I ON THE BIKE AND MOTORCYCLES.
Article 187. tas drivers bicycles and motorcycles have the following if obl i gations:
Respect traffic signals and indications of the agents;
Move in the direction of the track;
Bring on board only the number of persons for which there seat available;
Wear a helmet, companions must also porting;
Use a single lane;
Passing only the left lane;
In the case of motorcycles, circular at all times with the lights on, the bikes must have attachments reflective, and
T he bicycle riders must stay to the far right of the road on which transit and carefully passing parked vehicles.Cyclists who do not meet the obligations outlined, will be reprimanded verbally-oriented agents to behave in accordance with the applicable provisions.Violation of the ones i prohibic provided in this article by motorcyclists, is penalized based on the following table:
Fraction
Punishment by a fine of in the daily minimum wage
I, IV, V, VI, and VII
5 days
II and III
10 days
It was also sentenced to a fine equivalent to 10 days salary m í minimum the owner or lessor of the bicycle or motorcycle, provided it is shown that regulatory helmets gave the occupants of the bicycle or motorcycle.Article 188. was prohibited to be drivers of bicycles and motorcycles:
Circular by carr i les interior central or primary routes and where so by pointing out the ace í v controlled access, except by notice published in the local media, the Security Directorate Public or Address Public Services determined times and days allowed in these via l ities;
Circular between lanes;
Circular two or more such vehicles in parallel within a single lane;
Carrying a passenger in somewhere between the person driving and the handlebars of the motorcycle;
In case of motorcycles carrying passengers under 12 years of age;
Bind or attached to other vehicles in motion;
To walk on the sidewalks and areas reserved for the exclusive use of pedestrians and
You can not carry cargo to prevent keep both hands on the handlebars, and proper control of the vehicle or its necessary stability.
Cyclists who do not meet the obligations outlined, will be reprimanded verbally-oriented agents to behave in accordance with the applicable provisions.The breach of any of the prohibitions of motorcyclists, is punishable according to the following table:
Fraction
Punishment by a fine of in the daily minimum wage
III
5 days
II, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII
10 days
I
20 days
Article 189. propulsion vehicles mechanics, authorized by the competent authority, may not be moved on the roads authorized and in compliance with technical standards published for this purpose.
CHAPTER VIII CTION OF VEH Í CONDU CULOS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND NARCOTICS
Art í ass 190. No person may drive a vehicle on public roads, you have a lot of blood alcohol above 0.8 grams per liter, or alcohol in exhaled air greater than 0.4 milligrams per liter, or under the influence of narcotics .Operators of vehicles for passenger service, freight or transport of toxic or hazardous substances should not show any amount of alcohol in blood or expired air, or simple symptoms breath alcohol or being under the effects of narcotics.Violation of the prohibitions set forth in this Article, shall be punished as follows: with the penalty of fine equivalent to 50 days of minimum wage in the locality, same penalty will increase in 33-day minimum wage in the town, each time that the same driver or operator relapse or return to violate those provisions. In regards to this article, you can not apply the discount referred to in Article 200 of this regulation.If the offender does not reach the levels indicated above, but in fact shows no skills or be able to drive, shall be liable to half the penalty established in the previous paragraph, and arrest you.Article 191. All drivers who are found committing acts violating the provisions of this Regulation and show signs that conduct while intoxicated, will be presented to the Municipal Authority Qualifier judge or competent for the case of being the influence of alcohol or narcotics, are required to undergo testing for the detection of the degree of intoxication by local certifying physician.Article 192. Agents can stop the march of a vehicle when í ass through the Department establish and implement control progr love and preventive intake of alcohol or narcotics, for vehicle drivers í asses. These programs should be publicized in the media with the largest circulation in the locality.When agents have alcohol detection devices, narcotics, must proceed as follows:
Drivers must be screened to detect the degree of intoxication;
The agent must provide a copy of the receipt of the test results to the driver immediately to one, and the corresponding fine ballot;
If the driver exceeds the allowed limit of blood alcohol should be referred to the Public Prosecutor competent and
The agent must provide a copy of the receipt of the test results to the Public Ministry to which the driver is presented document that constitutes proof of the amount of alcohol or narcotics found and serves as the basis for the opinion of the Medical Examiner determined likely recovery time also must give immediate notice to the Secretariat í of Public Safety, to proceed with the cancellation of the license.
If present, the operator will be forwarded to the Department of Expert Services of the Procu radurí to General of the State of Sonora attached to this town, to the Ministry of Health of the State of Sonora attached to this municipality, or any other medical institution Officer, to determine the alcohol and / or substances referred, without pe rj uicio of sanctions coming from, to give immediate notice to the secretarial state to proceed with the suspension of the license.
CHAPTER IX OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND LIABILITY RESULT
Interesting read. I loved the part about not driving with kids under 12 in the front seat, broken windshields broken doors or no doors. All these laws are being broken as you read this. Loved the 40KPH speed limit on local roads. I bet I have been passed by Gringo Loco or his wife with them going 120KPH many times on the Las Polomas stretch of road. Man a Policia with a radar gun would clean up on that stretch of road Friday-Monday.
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?
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.