Philipsburg – On Friday, October 14,
2022, the Towing Policy of the Ministry of Justice was published in the
National Gazette. The absence of a clear parking and towing policy plan in
St. Maarten has been causing challenges for a number of years, including
transport disarray, abandoned cars and a problematic towing practice. The
Ministry of Justice is tasked with realizing effective enforcement of parking
offenses and the promotion of public road safety. As such, a transparent and
unambiguous towing policy is essential in achieving those goals. Much like the
Weapon Policy, after so many years, the Honorable Minister of Justice Anna E.
Richardson prioritized this very plaguing issue.
The towing policy which was established in
collaboration with the Ministries of TEATT and VROMI aims to provide
clarity about the legal basis and the procedure of towing, including checks and
balances for the citizens of Sint Maarten. The legal framework for towing
includes procedural steps, the registration system, and the procedure for
selling and demolishing towed vehicles. The Ministry of VROMI is currently in
the process of replacing traffic signs where they once stood. In the meantime,
however, the general public is encouraged to park in a responsible manner. For
example, there is no need for a driver to park on a sidewalk disrupting the
flow of traffic and hindering of pedestrians.
To implement the towing Policy in an adequate
manner, the Ministry of Justice created an inventive Rotational Tow Program
which was also published in the National Gazette on October 14, 2022. The
rotational tow program contains guidelines a towing operator shall comply with
in order to receive a rotation tow listing with the Ministry of Justice of Sint
Maarten. The Program is voluntary and is based on the needs of Korps
Politie Sint Maarten (KPSM). Compliance with all of the rules, regulations
and requirements of the Program as well as the towing policy is mandatory for
participating tow operators.
The Honorable Minister of Justice Anna E.
Richardson stated, “The finalization of a towing policy has been a priority of
the Ministry of Justice in order to regulate parking and the obstruction of
traffic. As such, I am elated that the new towing policy and the rotational tow
program have finally been completed and published in the National Gazette. I
would like to thank the Department of Judicial Affairs and the Ministries of
TEATT and VROMI for their dedication and commitment to seeing this much-needed
policy through.”
The rotational tow program determines the fees
and the response time for towing companies. It also includes requirements
regarding liability and insurance, an adequate storage facility, reporting,
confidentiality, professionalism, technical requirements of towing vehicles,
and more.
Minister Richardson hereby invites towing
companies who are interested in participating in the rotational tow program and
are willing to comply with the set requirements in the Tow Program, to register
for an information session about the Tow Program via email
at towing@justice.gov.sx.
The Towing Policy and Rotational Tow Program
will give the Ministry of Justice the much-needed structural approach for a
safe and responsible manner of towing vehicles ensuring traffic safety and
traffic flow. The Ministry is hereby advising persons who have been parking at
locations or for time periods not allowed by the law to take note of this
initiative toward a stricter and more structural approach to towing vehicles.