Dear editor,
As a resident of Point Blanche, living just past the bustling Port St. Maarten, I find myself wondering if the chaotic state of our roadways is a sign of progress or an indicator of negligence. While the economic vitality brought by heavy machinery, quad tours, scooters, and rental cars is undeniable, their abuse of our infrastructure and our collective mental health is steadily eroding both our patience and quality of life.
Every day, I navigate the maze of inconveniences caused by the inconsiderate practices of these road users. It is time for the government to step in with decisive measures to restore sanity to our streets, especially for communities like Point Blanche, which bear the brunt of this chaos.
Quad tours: The inconvenient parade
Let’s begin with the quad tour operators. Their long, winding lines of 20 or more tourists on all-terrain vehicles have become an irritating spectacle. Outriders/tour-guides block intersections, forcing us to wait as these clueless visitors amble along at a snail’s pace, oblivious to the rules of the road.
This is not just a nuisance but also a potential hazard. I’ve often wondered whether all the riders are even of legal age or properly licensed. Could we not introduce regulations to limit the number of quads per tour, reducing their disruptive impact? Perhaps an additional road usage fee for quad operators with excessively large groups could incentivize more responsible practices.
Scooters: The menace on two wheels
Then there are the scooter riders – a perpetual source of dread for every driver. Their reckless antics, such as weaving between cars, popping wheelies, and flouting traffic laws, make them a danger not only to themselves but to everyone on the road. The number of accidents and fatalities linked to scooters speaks volumes about the need for intervention.
Unregistered and uninsured scooters should be banned outright. Let’s round them up and ensure that only registered bikes of a certain horsepower, with properly insured riders, are allowed on the road. Strict enforcement and severe penalties for violators would go a long way in restoring order.
Heavy machinery and trucks: Road wreckers
Heavy machinery and trucks add another layer of frustration. Their slow crawl up steep hills, like Cole Bay Hill, creates traffic snarls that extend for miles. Just a few months ago, near the intersection of Ground Dove Road and Goldfinch, trucks involved in construction work left behind a crater-sized pothole. The damage remains unrepaired, an enduring reminder of how these vehicles destroy our roads with impunity.
The government must reinstate time restrictions for these vehicles to operate during non-peak hours. Additionally, companies using heavy machinery should be held accountable for road damage. Billing their insurance for repairs would ensure that the burden of maintenance does not fall on taxpayers.
Rental cars: Seasonal squeeze
Every high season, the influx of rental cars turns our already-congested roads into an obstacle course. While tourism is the lifeblood of our economy, the sheer number of rentals during peak season is unsustainable. The government should consider imposing a surcharge on car rental agencies, with funds directed toward road maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.
Solutions for a smoother ride
The issues are clear, but what can be done? Here are a few practical suggestions for the government:
1. Quad Tours: Limit group sizes and enforce stricter road usage rules for tour operators. Introduce a fee for excessively large groups to discourage congestion.
2. Scooters: Ban unregistered and uninsured scooters. Establish clear guidelines for horsepower and rider qualifications.
3. Heavy machinery: Reinstate time restrictions for heavy vehicles during peak traffic hours. Introduce a mandatory insurance-backed system to fund road repairs caused by these vehicles.
4. Rental cars: Impose a seasonal road usage surcharge on car rental companies to offset the strain on infrastructure.
As we strive for development, we cannot afford to let our roadways become a free-for-all. Point Blanche residents, and indeed all road users on this island, deserve better. Addressing these issues will not only improve the quality of life for locals but also enhance the experience for our visitors.
To the government, I say this: Listen to the voices of the people who call this island home. Take decisive action to balance progress with accountability. Because if our roads continue to reflect chaos, what does that say about the direction we are heading as a society?
Respectfully,
Point Blanche Resident
