PHILIPSBURG:--- Growing concern over the increasing number of motorcycle and scooter accidents once again dominated discussions in Parliament on Friday, as Members warned that reckless riding is placing both riders and motorists in constant danger.
The renewed warnings came just days after several serious scooter accidents across the island and only weeks after multiple fatal crashes involving motorcycle riders.
MP Lyndon Lewis recounted a frightening experience from the previous evening, describing how he narrowly avoided striking a young motorcyclist who suddenly entered his path.
"Last night I too would have had to give up myself for hit and run," Lewis said, explaining that the rider was traveling from Madam Estate while he was driving toward Dutch Quarter.
"He would have ended up under my vehicle."
Lewis used the incident to issue a direct appeal to young riders.
"I'm asking these young motorists to please take your life seriously," he said, noting that the near collision occurred around 10:00 p.m.
The concerns were echoed by MP Egbert Jurendy Doran, who described the situation as nothing short of a national crisis.
"My colleague mentioned about the bike rider crisis—I would call it that—we have on Saint Martin," Doran told Parliament.
Doran reminded Parliament that he has repeatedly appealed to government to take stronger action and even suggested organizing a National Day of Prayer as a way to encourage reflection and unity during what he described as increasingly difficult times for the country.
"We should have some kind of dialogue and be able to pause and reset as a country," Doran said while calling on government to initiate broader discussions on public safety.
The parliamentary warnings come amid an alarming rise in scooter-related accidents on St. Maarten. In recent weeks, multiple riders have been hospitalized, while several families continue to mourn loved ones killed in motorcycle crashes.
The repeated appeals from Members of Parliament underscore growing public concern that stronger enforcement, improved rider education, and greater personal responsibility are urgently needed before more lives are lost on the island's roads.
Friday's discussion demonstrated that road safety is no longer viewed simply as a traffic issue but as a national concern requiring coordinated action from government, law enforcement, schools, parents, and the wider community.