Sobriety checkpoints in Fr. St. M.
 

We've been to St. Martin on 21 different vacations. Most recent was 3/3/05--3/13/05. We encountered something that we had never seen nor heard of on this island before -- a sobriety checkpoint.

This occurred on the main road between Marigot and Grand Case, just south of Grand Case at the bottom of the big hill. Cars travelling northbound were being pulled over by gendarmes on a random basis, and a breathalizer test was administered to all who were stopped -- including ME!!

I had consumed one drink of vodka before leaving the Dutch side, and passed the test. I have no idea if their guidelines on DWI are similar to those in the USA, nor any idea about punishment for tourists "over the limit".

This was a scary, unexpected event. I hope that it is not the start of a pattern to harrass tourists. I am passing this info on as a "public service", and would appreciate responses from others who have had this experience.

Also, does anyone have any info about the sobriety guidelines in St. Martin vs. the USA?

Its annoying all us residents too as they are avoiding nabbing the likely targets by putting on a show in the daytime. There's been a spate of nasty accidents on the French side and this is the result. As far as I know , no tourist has been charged with anything even if found to be over the limit - just let off with a warning. Couldnt say for sure this is official policy though. Its silly that they stop you at all really - we all know who is drinking and driving like lunatics, and at what time of day - and its not you tourists.

On the Dutch side, drink-driving is not even technically a crime - only the road rules you may break whilst driving drunk. This bizarre oddity may change very soon though.

One other piece of info that I should provide here is that this "event" occurred on Friday evening around 7:30-7:45 pm.

We were on the island for 2 weeks at Christmas and saw these checkpoints; they had just begun and were written up in the paper. We never got stopped but friends did; however, no problem.

Forgot to say one checkpoint was on the harbour road right by the cemetery near the parking lot across from the Marina lot. The other was at the foot of the hill by Grand Case.