Sunday, March 28, 2010
Dear Sir,
Back in 1983 when I first started to go over to Chetumal to do purchasing for my business, Belizean license plates were targets for the traffic police. They would nail you for any and everything, even if you did nothing wrong.
“You took the curve wrongly”. “You have goods in your vehicle”. “You stopped where you should not.” Any excuse to stop you and negotiate a “We can arrange this”.
After Mexico started straightening its act they left us alone, because the powers that be realized that Belizeans purchasing in Mexico was a good thing. Of course, the orders have to come from above, or it would never stop. If you made a mistake and did something wrong, they would call your attention, tell you not to repeat it and allow you to go on your way.
Lately, I have been hearing comments that the cops are not as forgiving as before, and I had an experience that confirmed it. Mexico does not have a Traffic Department, it all falls under Public Security, which I think is a better idea than the one we have. They should all be police, “To protect and to serve”.
I was coming smoothly on the Avenida Insurgentes and came upon the checkpoint; as soon as the officer saw me, he said, “No seat belt. That is an infraction. Park on the side.”
I know the Mexican officials ask you to wear your belts, but did not know it was a law. I said “Officer, I’ve been coming here for nearly 30 years and no one has told me it was a law to wear seat belts.”
His answer “Park here. Your vehicle is tinted. That’s another no-no. Let me see your Driver’s License and Registration Certificate. Is this a 6 or a G on your V.I.N.? Do you know I can detain your vehicle because of this?”
“Mister, like I said, I’ve been coming here for nearly 30 years and this is the first time I have ever been stopped for these reasons.” He walked away.
A little while later another officer came back with a better attitude. “Mister, we do not want to cause you problems and we know you don’t want any either. So if you are willing to settle here we will let you go, or we have to hold your license or take you downtown. You are looking at a $4,000 pesos fine; give us $2,000 and you can go.”
“Officer, that is far way too much money. I’ll settle for $500.”
“That is too little, but I know someday I may go over to Belize and find myself in the same situation. Give it to me and be on your way. Do not be talking on your cell phone while driving.”
I went to the border and told some Mexican friends about it. They said the seat belts are not law as yet, and the tinting, you can get a permit for it, but it is not strictly enforced.
Now I know that some Mexican visitors come to Belize and get similar treatment, especially when they have just crossed the border and not gotten any insurance.
My humble opinion is that Mexico and Belize should have an ample way of informing visitors of rules, regulations and laws governing our territories. No guns, no cell phones while driving, etc. – either a big signboard or pamphlets, or both, especially when a new law has come into effect.
I write this because hundreds or thousands of our Belizeans will be going to Mexico for the Easter holidays, and these experiences are not nice to remember. So please, Mr. Ambassador or Consul, ask your people in charge to tell the field people to let us have a nice time on your roads. If we make a mistake, go easy on us. If we misbehave intentionally, then you can apply your laws.
The same I ask of our authorities, the Mexican people rarely come here and if they do, let us treat them with dignity, but if they misbehave intentionally, then we apply our laws.
One more petition – someone somewhere please see that our bridgefoot and entrance to our beloved country get better care than it does. We can do much better than that.
Regards,
R. Cuello