TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Gendarme Random Traffic Stops

After the airport I don't set foot on the Dutch side so I no idea what a cab costs there.

Four gendarmes making traffic stops at 11:20 this morning at the Cul deSac rotary just as you enter the road going towards Orient.

I'm all for driver safety, but question this particular allocation of resources.

The merchants in Grand Case have to hire their own security because the gendarmes ignore them and the Marigot Marina is becoming a ghost town and there are 4 gendarmes stopping people exiting the rotary at 11:20 on a Satutday morning?

Ted-Jan,

Just a thought, but there was recently an article in the paper about the murder of a young woman on the French side of the island.

Do you think the four gendarmes might be looking for someone specific as opposed to just random motor vehicle infractions and doing the random stops as a means to an end? I go a little crazy when people speculate idly so I really shouldn't be doing it myself but I'm thinking it is a possibility? No?

On another note, being stopped in one of these shouldn't be a big deal to any of us, particularly if they take one person off the road that shouldn't be behind the wheel of a car.

An with regard to the other part of your comment, I don't pretend to know the logic or politics of what they do on the island or why, and as a visitor, I really don't feel it's my place to comment one way or the other.

Often on the Dutch side the police will run controls looking for all kinds of things not just inebriated drivers or those not wearing their seat belts or chatting on their cell phones. Just sayin'........

The two cars I saw stopped both contained older Caucasian couples. Not hypothesizing here, just stating a fact.

We eat in Grand Case more than 20 times a year and rarely see a Gendarme. Again, simply a fact.

We no longer go to the Marigot Marina, a favorite place of ours for years, because of the situation there. When we did we virtually never saw a Gendarme. Again simply a fact.

So sure, as a visitor of over 20 years, I will on occasion comment on things on the island.

Way over 80% or more of what is posted on this board are comments and opinions. If there weren't these the board would be empty.

Just my humble opinion.

Ted

Hey, Ted,

Feel free to opine all you want. I'm not saying anyone else should or shouldn't but I am saying I try not to judge the island. We, too, have seen many changes - some good, some not so good and lots of places we no longer bother to go, also. To each his own....... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Ted you are 100 percent correct

Ted:

Given some of the situations outlined in this thread I think you pretty much nailed it with your observations. This really appears as more of a revenue stream as opposed to a safety issue. I also find it unusual that people stopped are allowed to drive to the ATM to get funds to pay the fine!!!??? While I love the French side of the island I still find it interesting that fines are being paid in cash to the officers making the stop.....

Also a common and expected occurrence when driving in Mexico

I decided to edit my post, as I have not personally been in one of the traffic stops. If what I hear from these stops is true that if you pay you get to drive off, then I question the reason behind these stops. I would also question how the resources are used and if I had a vote, which I certainly do not, I would want them to do more patrol in areas like Marigot near the marina. I have heard the stories of these stops, many such as from Soc that I tend to believe but again personally I have not dealt with them.

We used to love going to Marina Royale, one of our favorite places. No more. In fact, other than Dreams, we find that we go to the French side less and less. I think we will try to go to the French side a bit more this year but we make a lot of plans that never happen so we will see. I guess I do have a vote, and it is based on how and where I spend my money.

T

For this reason alone. We avoid any travel and $ on French side Unless As Party of 10 we use a driver. Love French Sxm but dont need to deal with borderline "P.C."BS. Be safe and enjoy SXM

They run the same kind of stops at home--trying to get people to use seat belts and not use cell phones.

Just wanted to say, when we were having dinner in Grand Case, I don't know how many times the Gendarme rode by. Wish they could do that at Marigot Marina. It was always a favorite of ours and we just recently stopped going.

Terry/Rit, safe travels tomorrow.

Thank-you. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

We are actually looking forward to sleeping in our bed.

You sound like us. We go to Italy a couple times a year for 3-4 weeks. When
we get home and hit our bed I feel like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. there is no place like home.

Love Italy!! when we are not here, in the Fall, that is where we are.

That would be similar if they let your drive away without your belt on while talking on your phone...it's not the offense. The offense is real 'cuz one shouldn't drink and drive. It's the non-enforcement and seemingly non-importance of it after being fined. More of a game of "Gotcha" rather than a concern for safety

We never drive without wearing our seatbelts. We never talk on the phone nor text while driving. Not at home, on the island or anywhere. But, I don't associate having a glass of wine or two with dinner with DUI. However, that is something we have to accept and work around. We still prefer the vibe of the French side.

Couldn't agree more with you.

Whenever someone on this board reports a crime, the thread inevitably turns to 'Where is the police presence.' I believe these random stops are to check seat belt usage, weed out those who drink and drive, and check for those who are in the country illegally among other things.

The Gendarmes are enforcing the laws of their country, one that we are only guests.

I also agree that we should all respect the laws of the country. No question. But if the Gendarmes fine you 100 euro, collect it on the spot and send you on your way, they are not enforcing the laws of their country. They are simply making 100 euro.

That is just not true. If you read the information I quoted earlier in this thread, there are two levels of the drinking and driving infraction in France. One is just a fine, the other carries a much greater penalty.

They ARE enforcing the laws of their country. How hard is it to understand that if you don't drink and drive, don't talk on a cell phone, use your headlights, and a seatbelt....that you won't have a problem?!

It is their custom to collect cash on the spot.

http://www.anglophone-direct.com/Driving-in-France

"Driving offences and points
Remember that if you are stopped in France for a driving offence, you can receive an on-the-spot fine. If this happens to you, do insist on an official receipt from the officer collecting the fine.
Always carry with you your driving license, insurance documents, and ‘carte grise’ (vehicle registration). If you are unable to provide these documents, particularly your driving licence, or your vehicle is not in order, residents will receive a fine (‘une amende’ or ‘un avis de contravention’) and will be given up to five days to present their papers at the police station and pay the fine. Non residents however, are likely to receive an on-the –spot fine (une consignation) and have their vehicle impounded if they are unable to pay. A friendly policeman may accompany you to a bank or cash point to allow you to withdraw cash!"

We all can have opinions and viewpoints, but it would seem the last two posters have cited the realities, complete with chapter and verse.

Is it time to put this one to bed yet? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

yes, I would think so.