Turnbull Proposes Fines for Abandoned Vehicles
Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull has suggested that the government could generate additional revenue by imposing fines on persons who abandon derelict vehicles and boats across the territory.
Second District Representative Melvin ‘Mitch’ Turnbull has suggested that the government could generate additional revenue by imposing fines on persons who abandon derelict vehicles and boats across the territory. Speaking in the House of Assembly recently, Turnbull proposed using vehicle identification numbers (VINs) to trace abandoned vehicles to their registered owners and hold them financially accountable. “Each one of those derelict vehicles has a VIN number on it, it’s tied to somebody in this territory,” Turnbull explained.
He suggested that owners should be required to settle outstanding fines before being allowed to renew their driver’s licences or register vehicles. Turnbull said similar enforcement measures should apply to abandoned boats, arguing that owners must take responsibility for their property. “So ministers, that would be a good way to earn revenue.
And it would also discourage persons from doing what they do with these derelicts,” he stated. He also complained about persons abandoning vehicles along public roads and using those spaces as makeshift mechanic shops. The proposal formed part of Turnbull’s wider argument that government expenditure is increasing without sufficient new revenue streams to sustain its operations.
He pointed to the territory’s 2026 budget and the $100 million loan, questioning whether the government was generating enough income to support its growing financial obligations. Turnbull estimated that salaries and employee-related expenses already consume between 75 and 77 percent of government expenditure, arguing that the territory will be in deep trouble if additional sources aren’t found soon. “If that number continues to increase without additional revenue streams coming in, we are just going to be doing exercise of futility,” he warned.
He challenged the Virgin Islands Party administration to move beyond announcing plans and urgently pursue practical revenue-generating initiatives. “We have to start to treat the aspects of government that deal with revenue like a business,” Turnbull argued.
Primary source: BVI News