About the institute

A national institute with a nationwide remit

The Road Safety Institute was established by state decree in 2019 (S.B. 2019 no. 23, as amended by S.B. 2025 no. 22) for an indefinite period and works towards a single, coherent approach to road safety in Suriname.

Mandate and founding decree

The VVI was established by State Decree of 27 February 2019 (S.B. 2019 no. 23) under the then Ministerie van Justitie en Politie, which has been the Ministry of Justice and Security since 3 August 2026. The ministry’s name change was laid down in a State Decree of 31 July 2026 and took effect on 3 August 2026. The Institute is a legal entity and is based in Paramaribo. The Institute falls under the Ministry of Justice and Security.

The VVI was expressly established as a precursor to a future Verkeersautoriteit. The draft "Wet Instelling Verkeersautoriteit" is before De Nationale Assemblée for consideration.

By Staatsbesluit of 14 February 2025 (S.B. 2025 no. 22), the original establishment period of five years was extended indefinitely. The Institute will be dissolved upon the entry into force of the Wet Instelling Verkeersautoriteit Suriname.

Why the VVI was established

After years of decline, the downward trend stalled from 2016 onwards, and the number of road deaths continued to fluctuate at a persistently high level, peaking at 96 in 2021.

Combined with population growth and rapidly increasing mobility, this created a need for a permanent, specialised institute to coordinate the road safety approach nationwide.

Core task

De centrale aansturing, het optimaliseren en de monitoring van de verkeersveiligheid, alsook het coördineren van activiteiten die met de verkeersveiligheid in het algemeen te maken hebben en die door de verschillende actoren worden uitgevoerd op grond van de aan hen toegewezen wettelijke taken.

Unofficial translation: The central direction, optimisation and monitoring of road safety, as well as the coordination of activities relating to road safety in general carried out by the various actors pursuant to their assigned statutory duties.

Article 3, paragraph 1, Besluit Instelling Verkeersveiligheidsinstituut (S.B. 2019 no. 23)

Statutory duties

Statutory duties under Article 3 of the Staatsbesluit

Het opstellen van een verkeersveiligheidsfilosofie
Unofficial translation: Formulating a road safety philosophy
Het verzamelen van data en analyseren van verkeersstatistieken
Unofficial translation: Collecting data and analysing road traffic statistics
Het ontwikkelen van een strategisch nationaal verkeersveiligheidsbeleid
Unofficial translation: Developing a strategic national road safety policy
Het onderhouden van contact met relevante nationale en internationale stakeholders
Unofficial translation: Maintaining contact with relevant national and international stakeholders
Het bevorderen van veilige infrastructuur, effectieve handhaving en educatie in overleg met de bevoegde en relevante autoriteiten
Unofficial translation: Promoting safe infrastructure, effective enforcement and education in consultation with the competent and relevant authorities
Het monitoren en evalueren van de uitvoering van de opgestelde strategie voor verkeersveiligheid en daaraan gekoppelde actieplannen
Unofficial translation: Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the road safety strategy developed and its associated action plans

Article 3, paragraph 2, Besluit Instelling Verkeersveiligheidsinstituut (S.B. 2019 no. 23)

Leadership

Who leads the institute

Joanne Kasno-Adraai

Director

Purcy Landveld

Deputy Director for Data & Education

Organisation

Organisational structure

The Policy Committee and the Director jointly oversee strategic direction and implementation. Two sub-directorates carry out the work.

Policy Committee
Director
- Secretariat / Financial Affairs
  - Sub-Directorate
    Data, education and vehicles
  - Sub-Directorate
    Enforcement, road users and roads

Composition of the Policy Committee

Director Ministry of Justice and Security
Director Ministerie van Openbare Werken
Director Ministerie van Regionale Ontwikkeling
Director Ministerie van Volksgezondheid
Director Ministerie van Financiën
Commissioner of Police
Academisch Ziekenhuis Paramaribo
Anton de Kom Universiteit

Accountability

The VVI reports quarterly to the Minister of Justice and Security through a quarterly report.

In addition, the institute organises an annual stakeholder meeting in October or November. The progress report and the revised action plan are presented and discussed there with all partners.

Participants at a stakeholder meeting on road safety — Stakeholder meeting with PAHO/WHO and partner agencies