A frustrated motorist takes a photo of a heavy equipment operator causing traffic congestion on Thursday.
PHILIPSBURG–Fourteen months later, heavy equipment operators are still operating on the relaxation of hours given to them by Minister of Justice Cornelius de Weever last year. Motorists continue to complain about these heavy-duty equipment operators taking advantage of the policy change and causing traffic congestion during peak traffic hours.
The heavy vehicle operators in St. Maarten submitted an urgent petition to the Justice Minister in April 2018 in a bid to avert having to execute their “only alternative,” which would be the increase of construction cost by as much as 20 per cent to cover overtime and other cost incurred because of their normal eight-hour operation being expanded by an average of five hours.
The operators’ argument at the time was that the law regulating the hours for heavy equipment operators to be on the streets is antiquated and does not reflect present times or types of vehicles used. Central to their complaint letter was that their delivery of goods and services to customers is restricted by the law from 6:30-8:30am and 12:00-2:30pm. The restriction applies every day except Sundays.
Operators believe that the Traffic Ordinance prior to the relaxing of the traffic law poses a major impediment to their operational ability during a time when there is still a very urgent need for especially reconstruction material, concrete and lumber, but also general goods and services.
As a result, Minister de Weever advised the Police Force to temporarily relax the law until the island’s road infrastructure is expanded, while Article 60 of the traffic ordinance was being reviewed. However, De Weever did request that the operators of heavy vehicles avoid school districts to ensure safety and security for all who use the road network.
At present, operators are moving freely and motorists often complain on social media about the backed-up traffic congestion caused by them, with, in many cases, objects falling off the vehicles and left on the roads, causing inconvenience.
The Daily Herald contacted police spokesman Chief Inspector Ricardo Henson for comment about the policy change on Thursday.
“The minister still has the relaxation of the hours in effect; however, the law has not changed. The minister would be the one to decide whether to revert back to the law or keep this present policy. However, the police still adhere to the directive of the minister,” stated Henson.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/88706-heavy-equipment-drivers-still-operate-at-any-time
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