MARIGOT:--- The Gendarmerie reported Wednesday that the public has generally taken note and understood the importance of its message on observing road security requirements during its current awareness campaign.
The campaign, consisting of preventative and penalizing phases, began January 7 and continues until February 18 and addresses the importance of safety when driving on the roads. Motorists have been receiving verbal warnings about wearing seat belts, wearing crash helmets, and the importance of safety devices and belts for small children in the back seat of cars.
After the first warning/preventative phase, controls were conducted on Tuesday outside several school establishments including Collège Mont des Accords and Collège Soualiga.
Despite the advice given, some 21 offenses were recorded, 13 of which included drivers or passengers found not be wearing seat belts. Among the remaining offenses there were three driving licenses infringements, one of which was a repeat offense.
The Gendarmerie noted that the use of cell phones while driving a vehicle was also observed. It said this was one of the principle causes of accidents as drivers become distracted while holding a conversation.
In 2012, five persons were killed on the roads of St. Martin, three of whom were riders of scooters or motorbikes. Between 2010 and 2012, eleven riders of two wheeled vehicles have been killed and fifty two injured. The controls will continue.