PHILIPSBURG:--- Several youths on St. Maarten who are in the habit of riding scooters and using them to commit robberies were caught off guard on Sunday mostly in the Cole Bay/Simpson Bay and Bellevue areas when police began chasing them down as they controlled scooter riders on the island.
According one eyewitness, a Dutch police patrol chased a scooter rider all the way to Bellevue before he was able to catch up with the scooter rider who was trying to make his escape over the border. The eyewitness said the officer in Dutch police vehicle then pulled up in front of the scooter and pulled his weapon out in order for the scooter rider to comply with his orders. Two other persons were also arrested in the Cole Bay area on Sunday.
Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said in an invited comment that the Head of the Simpson Bay Outpost and the Community Police Officer (CPO) of Simpson Bay made a plan to control scooter riders on the island in order for them to curb the armed and unarmed robberies that are committed by scooter riders.
Henson did not divulge much details on the plan now being implemented by KPSM, he said that the police will continue with this type of control on scooter riders unannounced.
Police control scooter riders at Causeway Bridge.
On Sunday February 16th, 2014, members of the police force of Sint Maarten held a control on scooter riders. The control took place between 3:00pm and 6:00pm on the Causeway Bridge. A diversity of scooter riders were stopped by officers and their papers were checked. Approximately 10 scooters were confiscated and several fines were given for traffic infractions (violations). These controls will continue indefinitely and riders of scooters should get all documents in order to avoid any unnecessary inconvenience.
The police force of Sint Maarten controls all types of vehicles on a regular basis. Sometimes we focus on cars and other times we take more time to control scooters.
Since the police force has been getting a lot of complaints from the community of Sint Maarten about scooter riders riding dangerously; it was decided to focus more on this subject. We have received numerous complaints about the irresponsible way of riding, the way scooter riders overtake other traffic, the low visibility because of the lack of proper lighting and the loud noises made by the vehicles.
The members of the police force plan to take measures in regard to these complaints. That is why, with this message, we are sending a reminder to all scooter riders informing them what the rules are they have to obey, what kind of documents they must have with them at all times and make sure you are visible for other road users.
Rules
When you get on the road, first of all you have to know the rules. In traffic you should obey rules, because you're not the only one on the road and you're responsible for your own and other road users safety. So make sure you know what the different traffic signs mean and obey them. How to approach a roundabout, how to overtake other road users, in short: how to behave like a good road user.
When you're on the road you'll always have to bear in mind you can not hinder other road users, so do not cause any unnecessary danger to them. Don't drive recklessly! Don't speed, don't drink alcohol or use drugs when you drive your vehicle, don't drive off when you're involved in an accident.
Documents
When a police officer instructs you to pull over, he or she usually wants to control your documents. They're entitled to do that and you have to obey their instructions. The documents you should have with you when you're riding your scooter are: your valid driver's license, your valid inspection card, your valid insurance papers, and your bill of sale. You have to hand them over to the officer when he or she asks you to and you have to follow all the other instructions given to you.
Visibility
For your own safety and the safety of other road users you should keep your visibility in mind. When you go on the roads, be sure you're head and tail lights are working properly so other road users are able to see you. When you're invisible for other road users the chances of getting involved in an accident are much higher. Also make sure the other road users see what you are up to; you've got direction indicators, use them.
Another very important thing is the helmet. As you probably know, your head is very important for the well being of the rest of your body. Protect your head and wear a good and safe helmet when you ride your scooter.
If you want to know more about the 'Traffic Ordinance', visit the government's website. On http://www.sintmaartengov.org/Laws/Pages/default.aspx you'll find more information.
KPSM Police Report
