PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Several motorcyclists and scooter riders were subjected to a traffic control in Cole Bay executed by the Police Force of Sint Maarten KPSM on Sunday, October 24. Seven scooters were confiscated by police due to various offenses during the controls.
Police reiterates its warning to motorcyclist and scooter riders about the confiscation of bikes/scooters that fail to meet technical requirements as stated in the Road Traffic Ordinance of Sint Maarten or lack the required documentation.
Motorcycles or scooters confiscated by police must be uplifted with the required paperwork from within the period set by law or bikers will be crushed in consultation with the Prosecutor’s Office.
The control stems from the Justice Minister’s zero-tolerance policy on reckless scooter. Motorcyclists and scooter riders will be subjected to more traffic stop and checks for technical requirements and required documents in the future.
Police will execute more bike controls as more riders are observed on the road not respecting or obeying the traffic regulations and exhibiting behavior that is a nuisance to the community and endangers the lives.
Anyone with information about dangerous riders or any other community nuisance should contact KPSM via + 1 721 542 2222 or emergency number 911.
Overview of serious traffic accidents in past week
The KPSM Traffic Department is investigating several major accidents from the past week.
⦁ A serious traffic accident took place on A.J.C. Brouwers Road, near Ace Hardware, where a pedestrian was struck by a scooter while crossing the road on October 18, 2021. The preliminary investigation showed that a car driver gave a pedestrian an opportunity to cross the road. A scooter rider coming from the Churchill roundabout overtook several vehicles on the same road as he headed in the direction of Cole Bay. Scooter rider hit into the pedestrian and struck a white i10 car. The rider fell off his scooter a couple of meters further up the road.
The pedestrian sustained severe injuries to his body due to the collision. He was treated by paramedics at the scene and rushed to Sint Maarten Medical Center. Due to the severity of his injury, he had to be airlifted to Panama. The scooter rider also sustained injuries and was taken to SMMC for further treatment. The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
⦁ The Traffic Department is investigating a traffic accident that occurred on Airport Road near Little Jerusalem on October 23, 2021, around 11:00pm. According to a preliminary investigation, it appears that the driver of a grey Hyundai Tucson turned onto the road from the shoulder and did not pay attention to oncoming traffic hitting two scooter riders. They suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene by paramedics. The investigation into this accident is still ongoing.
⦁ On Sunday morning, October 24, 2021 at approximately 01:25 am, a police patrol was dispatched to Welfare Road for a three-vehicle crash. According to the preliminary investigation it appears that the driver of the Kia Soul was driving with such high speed that he lost control of his vehicle and slammed into the other two cars. All three cars were badly damaged. This investigation is ongoing.
Reckless Driving
Speeding, changing lanes without looking, hopping of scooters and motorbikes and ignoring road signs are all classic signs of reckless driving. Illegal driving habits are one of the most common cause of road accidents on our island
Reckless driving usually involves a motorist that is less concerned about other road users than they are. Abide by the traffic rules, it may save your life
