Officials to seize vehicles of traffic violators

On 15 September, the last day of the Traffic Safety Month (TSM), Justice and Police Minister Stuart Getrouw announced that the ministry has received several proposals aimed at amending legislating in order to improve traffic safety. One of the proposals is aimed at compelling drivers who are caught speeding to pay the traffic fine immediately. “If they do not pay the fine on the spot, their vehicles will be impounded and if they fail to pay the fine afterwards their vehicles will be put up for auction,” said Minister Getrouw who added that Surinamese citizens seem to be inseparable from their vehicles. Officials have already discussed the traffic safety issue with the experts. The minister explained that perpetrators continue to break the law even after their driver’s license has been revoked because they keep on driving their vehicles without their driver’s license. “What else is there to do than to seize the tool that was used to break the law? We are busy checking the legal options for such a measure,” said Minister Getrouw who explained that the legislation is outdated because it has not been amended since 1971. “The only logical step to take would be to adapt the legislation.” Justice officials also want to introduce the Driver Violation Point System in Suriname. The Driver Violation Point System which is used in other countries gives officials a way to identify and take action against high risk drivers. The DMV assigns points for certain traffic violations. If for example you get 11 points in an 18-month period in New York, your driver license may be suspended. However, the point system is not the only way to lose your license. “If you violate the traffic rules a few times, you are given a warning after each violation. You get a fine when you break the traffic law a fourth time and if you break the law a fifth time, your driver’s license is revoke and you can’t get behind the wheel for 5 years. After 5 years you can return to driving school for another chance at getting your driver’s license. “We want to put the responsibility in the hands of the driver from the moment he or she gets behind the wheel.”