Deadly Crash Sparks Safety Concerns on George Price Highway

It’s a stretch of road many Belizeans know well, but after last night’s deadly crash near Hattieville, the George Price Highway is once again under scrutiny. Many are sounding the alarm, saying it’s simply too dark to travel safely at night. The lack of reflectors and blinding high beams from oncoming traffic are just part of the problem. Today, we took those concerns straight to the top, speaking with CEO Chester Williams to find out what, if anything, is being done to make this major highway safer.

 

Chester Williams, C.E.O., Ministry of Transport

“The meeting I had with the chief engineer at the Ministry of Infrastructure. We had discussed this same issue of proper line and reflecting on highways. I know they are engaged in doing the southern Highway between Independence and Punta Gorda Town where they are marking the highway and putting in the reflectors. I am sure you have heard the government has said through the ministry of infrastructure that they are in the process of rehabilitating the George Price Highway. So I don’t think it would be prudent for them to put the lines and the reflectors on the highway now. It is going to be a waste of money. So one of the things that needs to be done is that drivers need to ensure they exercise due caution in areas where the roads do not have proper reflectors and markings. Everyday we travel he highway and drivers we are taught or should know that there is a charge of driving without due care and attention. if it is that I am driving and there is a point where I cant see, I stop and slow down to make sure the road is clear. It cannot be that you cannot see well and you continue to drive at a high speed. You are bound to get into trouble.”