There’s no crying over spilled milk, so complaining about the extra expense of having to purchase 33,000 stickers (see related story) for motorists who object to the “50 Years Carnival” slogan on the 2019 licence plates makes little sense at this point. Some say the persons involved should also bear the cost rather than all taxpayers, but government was obviously in a difficult position because the community had never been consulted beforehand on the apparently controversial gimmick to promote the golden anniversary edition of St. Maarten’s main cultural celebration.
The idea of switching in the future to the cheaper and less-polluting stickers to prove the payment of road tax is in principle a good one. However, experience in other countries shows that maintaining some type of number plate that doesn’t have to be replaced every year – preferably on both the front and back – is important in the fight against crime by making it easier to identify vehicles from a distance.
As this year’s plates have the contested slogan, it will probably be necessary to first order the 2020 ones before a change is made. These should not mention any year and can then continue to be used for perhaps up to a decade, along with the annual stickers inside the windshield.
Key is not to wait until the second half of 2019 to start preparations for such an adjustment, but do this early, so the public doesn’t have to hear at the last minute that there wasn’t enough time in the end. No more excuses.
