KOROR (Palau Horizon) — The national legislature should pass a bill that would control or reduce the importation of vehicles, Justice Minister Michael Rosenthal said in a letter to House Speaker Mario Gulibert.
Rosenthal said such legislation would significantly ease traffic congestion in Palau.
He said the reduction in the importation of vehicles could be done through the imposition of higher taxes and fees.
He also proposed legislation prohibiting the importation of vehicles manufactured 10 years ago.
Rosenthal at the same time urged lawmakers to consider adopting a manual traffic control devices and uniform vehicle code.
Rosenthal said this was suggested by the special assistant to the president, Kione Isechal, who is an engineer.
Rosenthal said current law is based on Trust Territory standards and was implemented when Palau had minimal traffic.
He said the law on the operation of vehicles and vehicle inspections should also be amended.
Moreover, insurance should be required for all vehicles operating on the roads of Palau, Rosenthal said.
During a recent public hearing conducted by the House of Delegates, several suggestions were made to ease traffic. These included road modifications, upgrading traffic signals, additional traffic signs, limiting left hand turns and additional sidewalks.
But Rosenthal said before any changes are implemented a vehicle traffic flow survey should be conducted.
The survey will analyze car movements at numerous locations, he said.
Rosenthal also reported that he had met with Koror state legislators and discussed how to reduce traffic congestion on the main road by making use of the Idid/Ikelau road.
