PHILIPSBURG:--- Scooter riders that are still on public roads during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown risk having their scooters taken away if they are not able to provide the documentation for the scooters and insurance. Minister of Justice Anna Richardson announced during the Council of Ministers press briefing that she has been receiving a number of complaints from the residents about the scooters that are still on public roads. She said she already called on the police to begin controlling the scooter riders. Richardson said that scooters that are seized will be kept until the documents are provided and the riders will also receive a hefty fine for being on public roads during the 24-hour curfew.
The Minister of Justice also stated that police officers were given the necessary protective gear to use while executing their duties but since this crisis is new to everyone even the officers would need a reminder ever so often.
" Minister of Justice Anna Richardson has taken notice of numerous complaints by residents regarding the reckless behavior of motorcycle and scooter riders on the public roads. Riders continue to be a nuisance in residential areas by blatantly disobeying lockdown measures by racing and performing other hazardous stunts.
There have been reports by emergency personnel permitted to be on the roads of riders endangering others by riding into oncoming traffic. Most recently, complaints received by the Police Department indicate that there is a high volume of bikers on the road, not adhering to the
24-hour curfew. Patrols are constantly being called out from their regular duties of serving and protecting St. Maarten citizens during this state of emergency due to this recklessness.
The Minister of Justice would like to reiterate that these acts are a blatant act of disrespect of the law and thus, has prompted the decision to enforce the following National Ordinances: Article 4, Paragraph 3 of the Landsverordening tot het heffen van een belasting op motorrijtuigen, Article 2 & Article 11 lid 1 of the Landsverordening aansprakelijkheidsverzekering motorrijtuigen, and Article 2 Landsverordening regelende de keuring van motorrijtuigen.
As such, effective immediately, all bikers who are unable to show first and foremost a waiver/disaster pass to be on the public roads during these times, a license to operate a motorcycle/scooter regulated in (Article 88 Rijbewijzen als bedoeld in article 87 lid 2 & article
88 lid 1 sub an of the Wegensverkeerverordening), proof of ownership, insurance and paid road tax will lose access to the motorcycle/scooter.
The motorcycle/scooter vehicle will remain confiscated until proof of the above-mentioned documents is provided and a fine is paid. The Minister would like to make note that while these sorts of controls were being done in the past, effective as of April 7th, 2020, the Police
Force of Sint Maarten has been instructed to make this an active and continuous practice to control any and all bikers.
Any motorcycle and/or scooter riders who are permitted to be on the road for essential delivery purposes must wear a helmet as stipulated in the National Ordinance Article 59 A Wegenverkeersverordening.
All unpermitted riders are advised to cease and completely refrain from riding on the public roads without the proper documents that are required by law. Failure to comply will result in the bike being confiscated by the authorities, fines and/or arrest."
