License Plate Visibility and Hit-and-Run Incidents: Minister Tackling Responds
License Plate Visibility and Hit-and-Run Incidents: Minister Tackling Responds
The Press Asks, The Minister Answers
During the June 25, 2025 Council of Ministers press briefing, journalist Emil Lee of ILH Radio raised a critical road safety concern. She directed her question to Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling, spotlighting the widespread issue of vehicles displaying only a single license plate—often with a dark tint—despite legal requirements.
License Plate Visibility and Hit-and-Run Incidents: Minister Tackling Responds
Emil Lee emphasized the real-life consequences of this oversight. A rising number of hit-and-run incidents are making it difficult for victims to identify the offending vehicles. Most drivers only carry third-party insurance, leaving them with no financial recourse when the culprit disappears. She asked: what is the law on license plates, and how does this situation impact justice and liability?
Legal Requirements and Enforcement
Minister Tackling acknowledged the issue immediately. She confirmed that St. Maarten law requires two license plates—one at the front and one at the back—and both must be clearly visible. Not only are there size and placement regulations, but additional elements such as the tax sticker (administered by the Ministry of Finance) are also mandatory.
License Plate Visibility and Hit-and-Run Incidents: Minister Tackling Responds
The Minister admitted that she, too, has observed obscured or missing plates during her daily commute. Many are covered in dark plastic or have become faded due to sun exposure, making them nearly unreadable.
She committed to discussing enforcement with the police, recognizing that the visibility of license plates plays a role in overall public safety. While she cautioned that obscured plates may not directly cause hit-and-runs, their presence certainly complicates investigations.
Insurance and the Role of Government
On the insurance front, Minister Tackling clarified a key point: vehicle insurance falls under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Finance. However, she revealed that legislation already exists requiring insurance companies to contribute to a fund. This fund is intended to cover damages in situations where the responsible driver is uninsured or unidentifiable.
License Plate Visibility and Hit-and-Run Incidents: Minister Tackling Responds
Unfortunately, she added, “On paper it’s there. In practice, I believe not.” That fund—if properly activated—could provide much-needed support for hit-and-run victims. Minister Tackling expressed support for reactivating this fund and indicated that the Finance Minister is already exploring this avenue.
Next Steps and Written Follow-Up
The Minister assured the press that she will follow up in writing. She plans to gather data from the police regarding hit-and-run trends and license plate violations. She also intends to explore whether there is a measurable correlation between these violations and accident investigations.
This exchange underlines the importance of not just having regulations, but ensuring their effective enforcement. Tackling summarized it well: “It’s not just about having it on paper. It’s about being effective in using it.”