Driving problems

The driving problems we are having with tourists on Saipan is only going to grow with the growth of our tourism industry. I want to thank Chris and the Marianas Visitors Authority for trying to address the problem even though it is not MVA’s responsibility. MVA has asked the car rental places to do more in educating drivers but what is needed is legislation with teeth to make sure all foreign drivers know about the laws and expectation of driving in the CNMI. Many of these drivers have no knowledge about our traffic laws beyond a stoplight, stop sign, and speed limit signs and it is only going to get more dangerous on the streets as more tourists come.

I would like to offer a simple permanent solution for the driving problems we are having with tourists:

The municipal council and mayor on Saipan should create an ordinance requiring anyone with a foreign driver’s license who wants to rent a car to pass a clearance questionnaire. It will not be a test as tourists and tour agents will have access to all the questions for tourists to study and find out the answer before they even get to Saipan.

The ordinance should require a “clearance post” inside the luggage pick-up area at the airport and one in Garapan where tourists can pay a “small fee to cover government cost” and submit their questionnaire that has been filled out for approval or rejection. Tourists will have access to the questionnaire and our expectations online prior to travel and can submit their clearance questionnaire when they land for it to be stamped approved so they can rent a car. This will not apply to U.S. citizens with a U.S. driver’s license.

Car rental agents will be required to attach the original copy of the approved clearance questionnaire to all rental application as proof that the person has studied and understands our laws and expectation for driving on Saipan. Should a foreign driver be stopped while driving in the CNMI and they don’t have a copy of their clearance with the rental agreement, the car rental agent and the tourist will both get a citation and the car will be towed. Those who violate traffic laws will be ticketed and required to pay the ticket before leaving Saipan as their name will be placed on the computer system to hold them at the airport prior to leaving forcing them to pay or stay. Tourist can pay at the court clerk to clear their name to prevent a “hold” at the airport.

I am hopeful that this will help Saipan in solving what is getting to be a nemesis to the safety on our roads that can be detrimental and even deadly for other drivers and pedestrians.

Ambrose M. Bennett
Kagman, Saipan