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Police to clamp down on 'dangerous' vehicles

A damaged vehicle in Road Town days after Hurricane Irma struck the Virgin Islands on September 6, 2017. Photo: VINO
Police Commissioner Michael B. Matthews said the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force will be clamping down on unsafe vehicles using the Territory's roadways. Photo: Facebook
Police Commissioner Michael B. Matthews said the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force will be clamping down on unsafe vehicles using the Territory's roadways. Photo: Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Following the passage of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 it has become a common sight for damaged vehicles to be traversing the roadways, some without windscreen and others with various body damages, including to side view mirrors and lights.

This, however, may not continue for very long as the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) will be clamping down on vehicles deemed unsafe and uninsured.

Speaking to JTV Channel 55 recently, Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews said has asked his officers to act with discretion at the moment when it comes to traffic matters, however, there must come a time when dangerous vehicles have to be taken off the roads.

"We met a few days ago with the representatives with the insurers, together with the Commissioner of the DMV. I know that the Commissioner has already approached Cabinet with a view to saying are we going to put some leniency in place?"

But according to Mr Matthews, the request by the DMV Commissioner Kye M. Rymer is a matter for Cabinet to determine and "I have not been instructed otherwise at the moment."

"I am going to have to enforce some laws"

"The reality is simply this. People have suffered an awful lot here in the Territory. I understand that and I am sympathetic to that; however, it reaches a point where some of the vehicles on the road are just dangerous. They are dangerous to the people using them and they are dangerous to other road users and other people on our streets.

"And sadly, I am going to have to enforce some laws and we are going to deal with some of those more dangerous vehicles."

Mr Matthews is now advising persons to get their vehicles inspected and to make sure they can be licensed and insured.

"Most of all make sure your vehicle is safe and if it is not safe don’t attempt to get into it, because if my officers do see you we are going to reach a point where we going to have to deal with you through the law and place you before the courts."

Mr Matthews further said he was not seeking at this time, when the country is rebuilding after the destruction of Hurricane Irma to start a massive policing campaign, but he must consider the safety of residents.

18 Responses to “Police to clamp down on 'dangerous' vehicles”

  • Concern Citizen (01/11/2017, 09:58) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    Thanks
    • Roads Unworthy (02/11/2017, 08:12) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
      The government needs to fix the ROADS. These are damaging vehicles daily. Its hard to have to spend money to repair a car that has been damaged by potholes. GFB.
  • Bull Dawg (01/11/2017, 10:42) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    Very well said.
  • Necessary (01/11/2017, 11:38) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is indeed something that is necessary and very important. Officers just please use your discretion and reasoning, besides even some police officers driving vehicles that are unfit. So lets work together to rectify this situation give a reasonable time period or deadline Dec.31st 2017.
    • pet (02/11/2017, 23:01) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Personally, i think that that timeframe is too short as the insurance companies are no where near processing claims that were long submitted due to sheer volume. Where would people get money from to fix vehicles on their own, except for the rich. Addditionally, ordering and shipping takes time and fixing it also takes time. I agree that a time frame is necessary, but reason must anound!
  • Reasonable yes (01/11/2017, 12:37) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    but to do so much in little time. Some people are living in their vehicles as their homes are damaged also.Repairs or rebuilding homes,getting vehicle repairs or new one,bills and more bills everyday and out of work. How will that work.Anyway work with us as we will work with you
  • kk (01/11/2017, 15:11) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    come on a cat 5 hurricane just hit we
  • Seriously? (01/11/2017, 19:52) Like (28) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lets be real here! Cars mashed up during the storm being scrutinized about road worthiness when the road themselves are not road worthy!! My car went undamaged during the storms now I need a new front suspension due to the bottomless potholes! GFB government (Get Fu&in* Busy)!
  • bojan (01/11/2017, 20:06) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    lots of the body shops don't have current what you want people to do you on a list waiting for glass for your vehicle and you need to get to and from work.
  • Marie (01/11/2017, 20:59) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree, give a reasonable deadline so we can get on our feet. I am trying hard to get another vehicle, with no success because of the amount of money it cost while still trying to fix my house.
  • concerned driver (02/11/2017, 00:23) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    We all know that it is a difficult thing to cope with for a lot of people with damaged vehicle. But come on some of them are very unreasonable and discourteous the roads.
    They are transporting young children. Some with their bodies partially out side of vehicles, some sitting in the passenger side. Some not in car seats. We all know the danger of to small children if an air bag engages.
    They are at parking any place that pleases them, making all the illegal turns. Name all the traffic infraction, that being done. It's is so frightening,
    sadly.
  • wize up (02/11/2017, 04:12) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    the same police driving vehicles that have damage including windshields......the laws of this territory are applicable to the police as well
  • what a thing (02/11/2017, 08:12) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    Lots of vehicles in bvi have third party insurance and they get damaged during Irma insurance is not paying for third party so how will the ppl fix it.
  • Online Now (02/11/2017, 12:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What's so difficult to understand.
    If you can't see out of your window clearly - don't drive, it's dangerous.
    If you don't have lights - don't drive after dark.
    Everybody drive considerately.
    Parents, secure your small children in car seats.
    Wear your seatbelts.
    Nobody is talking about cosmetic issues.
    • wize up (02/11/2017, 14:42) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Online now: it is called lawlessness and this place have become a very lawless society: with progress come lawlessness especially without active law enforcement: I live to see the day when stealing people's property is now called looting(keep the faith)
  • Really (02/11/2017, 12:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can anyone really drive speed on these roads now to cause any accident except bikes.
  • How nice... (02/11/2017, 13:55) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    For people like me who have a legally operating vehicle- but how are the people with busted cars supposed to get to work so they can pay to have them fixed? WE NEED a temporary public bus system for workers and students. The government can get buses down here, train and employ BVI drivers and in 18 months or so, when the crisis is over, sell them. Local transportation is in the top five priorities we need to work on right now (along with water, power, roads and schools).

    OH! and am I going to get a ticket for carrying adults trying to get to work in the back of my pickup???


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