PHILIPSBURG–The Prosecutor’s Office announced on Monday that a total of 5,318 fines for traffic violations and violations at sea were given out by law enforcement in 2016. This is an increase of 894 (31 per cent), according to a statement from the prosecutor.
The other violations were not brought in front of the judge because the fines were paid by the offenders before the hearing date. Of 5,318 fines issued, a total of 3,759 were handled by a judge. These penalties were issued by the St. Maarten Police Force and the Coast Guard. This is an increase of 42 per cent of the total fines issued in 2015.
The top five offences for which fines have been issued were driving without seat belt (1,111), driving without a licence (955)/driving without being able to prove one has a licence (604), driving without insurance (667), calling while driving (646), driving without paying road tax on time (567).
This year, the police plan to collaborate with the Prosecutor’s Office to ensure more road safety, so more traffic controls will be carried out with an emphasis on uninsured driving, tinted car windows, driving without a licence and compliance with agreements regarding cement trucks.
Multi-disciplinary integrated controls will be carried out at the border in collaboration with the French-side Gendarmerie during the course of the year.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/64536-driving-without-a-seat-belt-tops-2016-fines-list
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