Well, I have been pushing my luck with Lei Seca for some time now. It is the zero tolerance drinking law that is in place now....not even one single beer. More and more checkpoints are popping up around town.

Yes, I know I should not be drinking and driving - but then I should not be whoring either, but that is another story....Not interested in lectures.

I have been pulled over a few times by the police, but usually for a 'Blitz' (they do not check for alcohol, only documents and Drugs), but last night I had my first true run-in with Lei Seca (kind-of, more on that in a little bit) and as surreal as it was it reminded me how much I love Brazil.

I have avoided the checkpoints many times before by simply turning into another street and circumventing them. Last night was no different, until just a few minutes after my maneuver a police car came up right behind me..I stopped, two police officers came out with machine guns pointing at me. After a quick decision, I decided to approach the police officers speaking only English. The police relaxed pretty quickly, and put down their guns. One stepped back to his car, the other in FLUENT English started speaking to me. I really was not nervous or too worried, knowing that almost anything has a way out when dealing with Rio police.

He did not want to see my documents and plain out asked me why I tried to avoid the checkpoint - I told him I had nothing to drink, but just did not want to go through the hassles of being stopped, etc. He asked me again if I drank and I said 'No'.. His response back to me was straightforward - "We can help you with this situation and get you past the checkpoint, but sit inside your car for a few minutes and think about what you can do to help us".

In my wallet I had R$120, so I decided to offer him R$100.00. He said it was very little, but after BS'ing with him more he accepted. A short time later, a guy in bike passed by and was waved over by the police. The police officer told me that this guy would drive me past the checkpoint and blow into Breathalyzer if necessary.

I got into the passenger side and the guy drove me past the checkpoint. A little bit after the checkpoint, he got out and I drove home....

I have paid the police only one other time, for driving while talking on a cell phone (which is illegal in Brazil). That one cost me R$30.

So, corruption can be beneficial....and certainly much cheaper the consequences from established laws.

One thing I have also learned is that it is much more beneficial using your foreign drivers license with the International Drivers license supplement and never apply for a Brazilian one even if you are a resident....why??? You cannot get points against your license, nor get your license revoked.

I received a couple of speeding tickets, plus running a red light, over the course of last year from the electronic cameras - each time the ticket only was about R$60-R$80. Points against the license was 3-4 for each, but obviously these cannot be applied against a foreign license.

If you decide to rent a car, however, I strongly urge you to get an International Drivers licenses (only about $15 from AAA) - in Brazil it is a requirement to show one if you get pulled over, even so the car rental company will rent to you without one.

The police love foreigners without 1) Passports and 2) International Drivers license... easy money.

Loving,

Do you have a permanent residence visa? Did you not show that? Is your car against your CPF or someone else's?

I have permanent residence visa and I always show that as my id here in Brazil. I also have my American driver's license because I have been too lazy to get my Brazilian one.

Yup, I have a permanent residence visa....I do not show that. When I drive, I only show my car registration, passport, AAA International Drivers license, and my US driver license...the car is in my name. Never had one single problem in any blitz. No need to get a Brazilian drivers license and there is zero benefit to doing so... I just like using my US passport better, since it seems easier to replace then my Brazilian residence card which took forever to arrive. Had my US passport replaced about 4-5 years ago at the Rio US embassy when an ex-girlfriend took it out of revenge, and it was relatively easy.

With the car being in my name, the fine goes against the plate and me, so still have to pay....but the points go nowhere!