The Long Arm of the Law

On Thursday the police carried out a series of road blocks to check on vehicle registration, insurance and drivers licences.  In Vanuatu the annual registration of vehicles occurs in March.  So the police carry out a series of checks in April and May to ensure vehicles and drivers comply with the law.  Even though there is an advertising campaign to remind people to register and insure their vehicles to make the public aware, some don't take notice. In Vanuatu all vehicles must carry proof of registration papers, proof of insurance and drivers must carry their licence. Instant fines on each item if you don't have them with the vehicle.

 The vehicles that failed to comply with the law were impounded.  The police compound wasn't big enough for all vehicles, so the spare parking land by the Convention Centre was used to impound the vehicles. This photo was taken on Friday, after a good number of the vehicles were reclaimed by the owners after they paid the fines, and registered and/or insured their vehicles.  I would estimate that there were at least 150 vehicles in the pound on Thursday night.