Dear Editor,
When will our motorbike riders accept that reckless behavior kills. And when will somebody explain to them that if already since in the 1950s when there were just about one percent of the amount of motorvehicles that there are today, the speed limit was 50 and 30 kilometers per hour, and it did not change, if that should not indicate that driving fast on Sint Maarten is dangerous. Improving on the road pavement does not necessarily indicate that one should drive faster. It is mainly to assure a smooth ride and less wear and tear on the vehicles.
I do not have any statistics on fatal car accidents compared to fatal motorbike accidents but it hurt my heart to hear a person who was told about the latest fatal motorbike accident, respond “D’ain nothin’ new.”
In discussing their reckless behavior in the past I suggested that government should only permit electric bikes with a maximum capacity to be imported. One of the answers that I got was “People got to die from something.” I still believe that sudden death causes trauma. Do we really want to do that to our loved ones?
Another person wanted to know what the people going do with their bikes they already have? Simple, add a transition period to the law. And with the same breath I would add that the same can be done with the size and capacity of heavy equipment and buses. Down-size and give more people work.
If I mention our Prime Minister everyone will know who I am referring to. The same goes if I mention those double-deckers. But in this case it would not be to say anything negative about the owner. I am thinking about jobs for at least two more drivers.
I have reiterated that government has to limit the import of cars to Sint Maarten. Somebody told me last week that Frontstreet is a mess. I would say it differently, but later for that.
Russell A. Simmons
