was registered at the conclusion of last year’s TSM. Officials emphasized that traffic safety is a joint responsibility of the government and the community. Justice and Safety Minister Harish Monorath pointed out that there have already been 74 road deaths in Suriname this year. 65 of the road deaths were male and 9 were female. According to Minister Monorath, most of the victims were men who were younger than 40. Minister  Monorath emphasized that the Justice and Safety Ministry strongly focuses on the prevention of deadly traffic accidents. These past couple of weeks the police have focused on increasing their visibility, tackling traffic violations and maintaining law and order. The traffic fines have also been raised. Minister Monorath announced that there is a proposal from the Traffic Safety Institute which is aimed at raising the traffic fines with an additional 150 percent. The proposal is reportedly aimed at raising the fine for holding a mobile phone while driving from SRD 2,000 to SRD 5,000. The minister explained that raising the fines and maintaining law and order in a stricter manner are not measured that are aimed at punishing civilians but at improving people's conduct in traffic and increasing traffic safety.  “Suriname has committed itself to reducing traffic accidents with at least 50% in the next 4 years. This can only be achieved if civilians, police and other agencies take their responsibility seriously. During traffic inspections drivers are often caught driving under the influence of alcohol. Police officers  also often have to deal with agression and insults of road users. Safety is a joint responsibility,” said Minister Monorath who urged the people to not only look at what the police or minister are doing but to also look at their own conduct in traffic. At the conclusion of this year’s Traffic Safety Month 130 kindergarten teachers received a certificate for successfully completing the Traffic Education training. The Traffic Safety Institute wants to raise awareness regarding the dangers of reckless driving at a very young age. The deputy director of the Traffic Safety Institute,  Purcy Landveld, emphasized that kindergarten teachers play an important role when it comes to laying the foundation for traffic safety behavior. In October the program will be expanded to the primary schools. Landveld explained that the program has already been discussed with the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. Traffic Education was given in the fifth grade but the Traffic Safety Institute has put together a  curriculum for teaching traffic ed in all of the grades.