Those that have ridden in Phnom Penh and other towns here all know the cops just LOVE to stop thr foriegners on bikes and extract money out of them, for whatever reason they can invent on the spot. To make matters worse, some clever c%*t at on or another NGO has gone and given them hand held radar units. Bonza! Another money earner for the boys in blue. Of course, the speed gun seems to only work when aimed at poor Khmere and foriegners, but not when aimed at the plethora of Lexus drivers without reggos, vip and army vehicles.
Here are some tips to avoid the hassle of negotiating your "fine", having your bike confiscated so you can buy it back from the police, and other cute ideas that they may have in store for you.
When approaching a stoplight, where the police like to hang out at, stop well back from the light, do not roll up to the front with the other motos and scooters. Instead, sit behind or next to a Lexus, Merc or small lorry.
When the light goes green (the locals will start moving on the last 5 red seconds) move forward with the vehicle you are using as a shield, and proceed thru the light, if possible, move left, away from the boys in blue and speed up. This gives them less time to jump in front of you.
The maximum on the spot fine here is officially 12,000 riels or 3 dollars.
Not the 10,20, 50 dollars they will try to get from you.
Do not ride with your headlamp on in the daytime, fine guaranteed. However, there is NO law requiring you to use your headlamp at night.....go figure.
When youy see them with their radar, same tactic, ride alongside a vehicle and use them as a shield. Speed limit sinage is limited here so if they stop you, for sure you are going too fast........
Risky, but effective, if you are approaching an intersection alone, and it looks like they are going to stop you, get the front end up and gas it. They get spooked and move out of the way.
If passing thru a green light, and you see them pulling people over, get left, into oncoming traffic if required, and go around them.
Lately, there have been a lot of police, in green uniform, two on a scooter with an AK-47, stopping people willy nilly as they please. If you see them in front of you, try not to overtake them, turn off and away if you can,
The hassle is less in the countryside, but places like Sihanoukville, Siem Reap and so forth, you need to be on the lookout for the boys at all times.
Here are some tips to avoid the hassle of negotiating your "fine", having your bike confiscated so you can buy it back from the police, and other cute ideas that they may have in store for you.
When approaching a stoplight, where the police like to hang out at, stop well back from the light, do not roll up to the front with the other motos and scooters. Instead, sit behind or next to a Lexus, Merc or small lorry.
When the light goes green (the locals will start moving on the last 5 red seconds) move forward with the vehicle you are using as a shield, and proceed thru the light, if possible, move left, away from the boys in blue and speed up. This gives them less time to jump in front of you.
The maximum on the spot fine here is officially 12,000 riels or 3 dollars.
Not the 10,20, 50 dollars they will try to get from you.
Do not ride with your headlamp on in the daytime, fine guaranteed. However, there is NO law requiring you to use your headlamp at night.....go figure.
When youy see them with their radar, same tactic, ride alongside a vehicle and use them as a shield. Speed limit sinage is limited here so if they stop you, for sure you are going too fast........
Risky, but effective, if you are approaching an intersection alone, and it looks like they are going to stop you, get the front end up and gas it. They get spooked and move out of the way.
If passing thru a green light, and you see them pulling people over, get left, into oncoming traffic if required, and go around them.
Lately, there have been a lot of police, in green uniform, two on a scooter with an AK-47, stopping people willy nilly as they please. If you see them in front of you, try not to overtake them, turn off and away if you can,
The hassle is less in the countryside, but places like Sihanoukville, Siem Reap and so forth, you need to be on the lookout for the boys at all times.
