Pay Your Fine Here
Dec 11th, 2006 by Don Ray
Yesterday, I was in the Chiriquí Mall and it dawned on me that there might be a few people that don’t know where the Transit Authority Office is. If you happen to get a speeding violation or a violation for driving while talking on the cell phone, here is where you are going to have to go to pay “The Man”.
I have heard many people say that the only traffic violations that get handed out are for the gringos. A couple of years ago I got a ticket for driving while using the cell phone. I really didn’t know that was a violation at the time. I think it cost me $50. I really don’t remember. I do know when I was in line to pay my fine that I was the only gringo in line and the place was full of people that were paying fines.
I personally think they are equal opportunity ticket givers. I didn’t offer to pay the officer that handed me a ticket to avoid getting the ticket. I have heard both locals and gringos say that is cheaper than paying the fine. My concern with that is that it breeds corruption and it was a better lesson for me just to pay the fine.
Don Ray, this little article is the sort of reason I keep looking at your site. I like your reasoning on this. Thanks.
Hi Frank. Thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment. Keep coming back.
I would like to know if they would actually come to find you if you didn’t pay for a minor offense? I was listening to my local news and the cops claim that 40 percent of all traffic tickets never get paid or go to court because people just flat out don’t pay and the cops have more important crimes to worry about.
The fines accumulate over time. If you want to buy or sell a car you will get caught. I think it is better to just pay the fine. Why would you want to deprive the economy of your money. It could pay to fix one pothole.
I would too if…thats exactly where the money went and not into some pencil pushers pocket.
I think you have to trust this part of the system. You don’t have information to know different and if there is a failure in the system, it is not for you to correct by bribes.
Oh I agree…I’m looking at it from an Americans view of American Law…I know nothing about Panama Law, better safe than sorry, I have NO problem blowing off an American traffic ticket myself, not like they will throw you in jail! I know how the American system works, they like to threaten and intimidate people, but in the end they can’t do SQUAT when it come down to minor traffic offense, now criminal thats a whole different ball game!