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La Paz traffic officers have issued more than 4,400 citations for cellphone use behind the wheel since the start of 2025, and the fine is steep: 2,346 pesos (about $136 USD) per violation.
The city’s General Directorate of Road Safety and Transportation reported 3,039 cellphone citations in 2025 and another 1,390 so far in 2026. That works out to roughly four tickets per day last year. The infraction is classified as a Code 03 violation and carries a penalty of 20 UMA (Unidad de Medida y Actualización) units, a standardized measurement Mexico uses to calculate fines and fees.
New Agency, Stepped-Up Enforcement
The road safety directorate formally separated from La Paz’s Public Security Directorate in January 2026. Since the split, the agency has expanded its public awareness campaign with new roadside signage and daily social media posts reminding drivers of the ban.
The enforcement push is not just about fines. Officials want to change driver behavior in a city where heavy traffic along the Malecón and main commercial corridors makes distracted driving especially dangerous.
Community Service as an Alternative
Drivers who cannot afford the fine have a legal option: community service through La Paz’s Civic Court system. Offenders apply voluntarily, agree to a set schedule, and typically serve shifts at the Municipal Canine Care Center, known as CEMAC. Shifts run from 8:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Completing the required hours cancels the violation entirely.
Not all traffic citations qualify for the community service alternative. The Civic Court determines eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
What Drivers in La Paz Should Know
The law applies to anyone operating a vehicle on La Paz roads, regardless of residency or license type. Holding a phone to your ear, texting, or scrolling while driving can all trigger a stop. At $136 USD, the cellphone driving fine is one of the more expensive traffic penalties in Baja California Sur.
For those who drive regularly in La Paz, a hands-free mount or Bluetooth connection is the simplest way to avoid the ticket. The city’s enforcement pace shows no signs of slowing: officers are on track to match or exceed last year’s citation total by year’s end.
This story was first reported by the Gringo Gazette.