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Peru: 86.3 pct of Lima taxi drivers have paid bribes to avoid traffic fines

LivinginPeru.com
Isabel Guerra

According to a survey conducted by the University of Lima Public Opinion Group, 95% of the taxi drivers in this city have got a traffic ticket sometime, at least once.

But not only this: 86.3% of the drivers who participated in this survey admits that the police officers requested them to pay a bribe to avoid getting a traffic ticket, a fact that not only reveals the high level of corruption but also shows that police officers actually allow bad drivers to circulate in order to get money from them.

However, this survey also reveals the failures and irresponsibility of the drivers; they either drive for too many hours or use cars that are not in 100% good conditions.

Reportedly, only 13.47% of the drivers works during 8 hours or less. A 26% works 9 to 10 hours; 32%, between 11 and 12 hours, and a 28.7% works more than 12 hours a day, which causes extreme exhaustion and makes them prone to cause traffic accidents.

Joaquín Rosas, Presidente of the National Federation of Taxis (Fentac), explains that they can't afford new vehicles nor expensive maintenance, and that the costs of gas (or of renting the vehicle) force the drivers to extend their daily work in order to cover their expenses.

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# Terri says :
5 August, 2009 [ 20:10 ]

I was pulled over and the cop extorded money form me, though I insisted to pay the fine. 

I prefered to give the cop money because 1) it was less expensive and 2) cops do not make much.

In the USA cops average $125k yearly plus full benefits and 80% of salary at retirement - American cops usaully have a side job too.  They make large coin.

# WOW says :
5 August, 2009 [ 20:30 ]

Terri, I dont know what you are smoking, but I want some of it. 125K per year. I bet most cops would like to make even half that

# JaJaJa Terri says :
5 August, 2009 [ 23:09 ]

The average wage of a police officer in the U.S. is 49,000 as of August 5th. of 2009. Here are some examples:


Maine 35,000
Ohio 40,000
Oregon 42,000
Colorado 44,000
Texas 44,000
Alaska 74,000

# David N says :
5 August, 2009 [ 23:11 ]

If the greedy politicians didn't pilfer through the tax coffers, and paid them more than slave wages, (ON TIME) PNP officers wouldn't have to resort to these tactics to feed their families.

# SA says :
6 August, 2009 [ 04:34 ]

I have to agree with the comments of JaJa Terri and David N.
If the police were paid on time and a decent wage then their desire for supplemental income would be much less.
Not even federal marshalls make 125K per year!
Many police in the US make roughly 50K per year with extra hours and overtime.  Some start out at roughly 22k per year without overtime and extra duty pay.

# Mr Magoo says :
6 August, 2009 [ 07:00 ]

In Peru the PNP do not have drivers licences and do not normaly drive thus most do not have any idea about driving rules.  It gets worse as you get away from the Capital of Lima. 
The one important thing that most all drivers and PNP in Peru fogets is:  All Transit regulations are to prevent loss of Human Life, and to respect Human Life.
When you get on that combi with bald tires n no brakes and a driver that has worked 16 hr shifts, your life is worth less than 1 s/.

# Sr. Taxi says :
6 August, 2009 [ 08:18 ]

The reason the taxi owners "can't afford new vehicles nor expensive maintenance" is that 80% of the taxis are informal which means that the formal taxis can't charge a tariff sufficient to cover their costs.  Lima needs licensed, metered taxis like any other major metro area in Latin America. 

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