Beachside Handicapped Parking – The fine is $7000 pesos and your US sticker doesn’t count
Baja California Sur has begun to crack down on traffic offences. The latest welcome addition to the revenue source for the city is the heavy fine levied on those that park in the blue marked handicap zones without proper plates or stickers displayed.
To be very clear: Handicapped access permits issued in the US or Canada will not be honored as valid.
To obtain a Mexican Handicapped access permit in Mexico requires a form and an assessment by a doctor that is submitted to DIFF (The human services agency of Mexico) and you can be issued a special permit.
Just prior to the end of the year the Transito Department of La Paz announced that they would begin aggressively enforcing the state and federal law with special officers. The fine in is $7000 pesos, and the city officials clearly stated there will be no early pay discounts applied to this infraction, nor will any pardon be given.
The first week of February the mid state city of Constitucion has announced that the will be “booting” cars found parked in specially designated parking spots.
In California I have known cases where the inconsiderate person managed to argue and wriggle their way out this infraction if the posted sign AND the space painting were not present. A little tip: “That dog don’t hunt, in Baja.” You’ll end up with the ticket and maybe a little extra with that argument.
Other Traffic Violations of Note:
Talking or Texting while driving in either Baja California or Baja California Sur is an impressive infraction. I’m not certain, but I believe it to be $800 pesos.
Stop signs: Stopping for these red and white signs is a point of constant consterntation
Drivers must stop in urban areas for pedestrians in crosswalks. This has been a big money maker in La Paz in the last few years, and besides, it is so hard to get all of the mess out of the grill work, so give them a break.
A minimum Mexican liability insurance policy is also required to drive on Federal Highways in both Baja California and Baja CaliforniaSur. This is usually an ‘add-on ticket’ when stopped for another offence or following an accident. We have always recommended you drive with liability insurance in Mexico.
No one under the age of 16 may ride in the back of a open truck without seat and seatbelt.
Now here is a surprising one: Pets must be restrained in the back of an open vehicle and secured when riding within the vehicle. This is probably not a bad idea anyway, as in the event of an accident it save the coroner time in deciding which body parts were yours and which belonged to the airborne pet.
2016 Baja California Sur registration stickers are now available at the La Paz Transito offices. Enforcement of this year’s stickers usually begins April 1.
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