Commuters Lash Out Over Checkpoints During Rush Hour

Frustrated commuters entering Belize City say a police checkpoint near the Haulover Bridge on the Philip Goldson Highway is bringing morning traffic to a halt and causing delays for workers and students.

Several drivers took to social media to express their frustration, stating that the long backups were reported on Friday and again this morning.

One user said the checkpoint is creating unnecessary delays during the busiest hours of the day, stating, “Friday and Monday … pipple and pikni get late fi work because of police checkpoint on Philip Goldson Highway… TRAFFIC BACK UP ALL DI WAY FROM HAULOVER TO LEE BIT BEFORE MANATEE LOOKOUT.”

Another angry commuter told News 5, “it has been this way for a while and now getting far way worst takes you almost 30mins to get to every 2 miles.” 

However, Transport Department CEO, Chester Williams, said the checkpoint was not carried out by transport officers. He said transport personnel are instructed not to conduct checkpoints on major highways entering Belize City or Belmopan between 7 and 9 am and between 4.30 and 6 pm. He said, “as these are the time commuters are traveling to and from work and we do now wish to impede them from reaching work or home on time.”

Williams said the department is trying to coordinate with the police to avoid these situations, and added that “there are still instances where the police goes and conduct checkpoint during these critical hours and we have no control over that.”