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New traffic rules from August 1
by The Daily Herald
Posted: May 28, 2007 13:57 UTC
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~ Mandatory seatbelts and car seats, cell phone use forbidden while driving ~
PHILIPSBURG - All motorists on the island will have to buckle up while behind the wheel, will only be able to use hands-free mobile phone devices and will have to ensure that their children are safely secured in children’s seats, from Wednesday, August 1.
It will also be mandatory for vehicles to stop at marked pedestrian crossings to give pedestrians right of way, and riders of motorbikes, quads and three-wheelers will be “strongly advised” to wear helmets “for their own safety.”
These measures are part of the amended traffic ordinance that will go into effect on August 1. The ordinance was amended several months ago.
Transportation Commissioner Louie Laveist said the Executive Council would discuss the issue of enforcement during its next sitting on Tuesday. “This is to ensure that all stakeholders are prepared to deal with this part of the ordinance,” he told reporters at a press conference on Sunday.
He said penalties were stipulated in the ordinance, but it was a matter of enforcement.
Government Information Services (GIS) is expected to start a public awareness campaign to enlighten the public about the new regulations. He said the possibility of having the campaign carried out in at least the three main languages spoken on the island would be explored.
He said that at the moment many persons, including himself, automatically buckled up when they reached French St. Martin and didn’t use their mobile phones because of the laws in place in that part of the island.
He said motorists and motorbike riders should start adhering to the regulations from now.
Laveist said this new regulation was a safety measure for motorists. He said more than 1.2 million people were killed on roads worldwide every year and up to 50 million more were injured, many because they weren’t wearing their seatbelts.
“Roads are bustling with life every day from cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds and other types of two- and three-wheelers.
“The amendments to the law entail that all persons riding in a vehicle will be required to wear seatbelts; children will have to be properly secured in child-restraint safety seats; it is strongly recommended for those riding quads and trikes to wear helmets for their own personal safety; it will be forbidden to use your cell phone while driving, only hands-free devices are allowed; and it will be mandatory for vehicles to stop at marked pedestrian crossings, thereby giving pedestrians right of way,” he said of the new regulations.
Laveist said the relevant stakeholders would have to make preparations to ensure the smooth implementation of the regulations.
“For example, car rental companies will have to ensure that they have child-restraint safety seats for their clientele who have children. Wholesalers and suppliers of child safety seats and helmets should take note to start preparing to have an adequate supply of the aforementioned in stock,” he said.
“Child-restraint safety seats will have to comply with international standards bearing the internationally established quality mark. The regulation of the quality standard will also come into effect as per August 1.
“Cell phone providers should make sure they have an adequate supply of hands-free devices that cell phone users can purchase. Persons have adequate time now to prepare themselves for the regulations.”
Regarding seat belts, he said the traffic ordinance stipulated that vehicles with manufacturing dates of 1986-1993 must have front seat belts, while those manufactured in 1994 and after must have safety belts in the front and back seats of the vehicle.
“Safety belts can prevent death. All motorists are asked to start putting the new traffic rules into practice as of now. The transportation of goods and people has developed in such a manner over the ages that vehicles support the economic and social development of a nation. While motorised travel provides many benefits, it can also do serious harm unless safety is made a priority.
“If current global trends continue, the number of people killed and injured on the world's roads will rise by more than 60 per cent between 2000 and 2020. Therefore, we as a nation have to also do our part, which we have done by making amendments to the traffic ordinance in order to make our roads safer for our families. Road deaths and injuries are preventable,” he said.
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