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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.