Deadly Crashes Trigger Tough Rules for Prefab Transport  

Two deadly crashes in just three weeks have put a spotlight on the nighttime transport of prefabricated homes along Belize’s highways. Now, the Ministry of Transport is stepping in with tough new rules that could completely shake up the industry. But home builders aren’t happy. They argue that hundreds of homes have been moved safely at night for years, without a single issue. So why is the blame falling squarely on them? Tonight, we dig into what these changes mean and why builders say their survival is on the line.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Over the last three weeks, two individuals have lost their lives after their vehicles collided into prefabricated homes that were being transported on the highway during the nighttime. The latest incident prompted the Ministry of Transport to implement a sudden and severe change to the way these structures are transported.

 

On the Phone: Chester Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Transport

“While they do have the permission to transport these oversized loads on the highway at nighttime that the oversized loads and particular houses, must be disassembled, which means that it must be in parts.”

 

But what the Ministry of Transport did not foresee is that this decision would bring the industry to a screeching halt. Today, News Five sat down with executives from four leading prefab home builders, along with a major transport company out of Spanish Lookout. Their concerns are numerous.

 

Scott Varro, Manager, Linda Vista Lumber Yard

“It is practically a full shutdown of our business, of our way of operation. Prefab homes is built at our site and transported as a unit to the customer’s house site. To say that we cannot transport prefab homes anymore is like basically shutting down our business. It is a completely different method. To say you can do a house in pieces and parts is not realistic.”

 

Industry stakeholders contend that the cost to consumers would increase exponentially if the newly implemented regulations are upheld. Builders will have to factor in the cost of employees working offsite, housing, as well as transportation for tools and materials. Not only will their approach change completely, but those structures would no longer qualify as prefab homes.

 

Ronny Plett, Manager, Plett Home Builders

“So that is transportation, housing, residence, food everything, where most of us, home builders spread across the country, north to south, all of them have crews of workmen right in the area that come and work on their houses. So when the house is completed, they send a small crew for one day to deliver and set up the house on its place.”

 

Today, these companies have deadlines to meet and homes to deliver. But the recently imposed regulations have created a literal roadblock for an industry with dozens of home builders across the country. When it comes to the recent tragedies, they admit that the loss of life cannot be overlooked. They contend, however, that their operations have an excellent track record, because they’ve been following all the mandated safety protocols.

 

Elmer Plett, Owner, Belize Home Movers

“What I see is that the houses must be lit and you have to mark them good and have a proper escort which I believe happened at this last accident. But, drunk driving was involved and it does not matter how much light you have. If drunk driving is involved I think that is the bigger picture here.”

 

Ronny Plett

“We have a vehicle going ahead with proper headlights functioning headlights, four way flashers and strobe lights on the roof, both amber and white, forward facing and rear facing. We have strobe lights on the trucks, we have strobe lights on every corner of the house on four corners. We have lights that literally light up the entire house like it is day light, you can see it from miles away that there is a house on the road. Then you have a rear escort.”

 

Without prior consultation on these new regulations, stakeholders feel the industry is being unfairly singled out, while other factors, like reckless driving, are being ignored.

Ana Monroy, Premier Home Construction

“For us here at Premier homes nobody has notified us as yet. I just heard it through the media and none of the stakeholders, like they are saying, we have not heard about it any at all. So, we would appreciate some proper communication towards us as business owners and stakeholders in this industry. Because that totally banning this completely will affect all of us in this business.”

 

This new measure could also affect foreign investments and even pending government orders. Reports are that a meeting is scheduled for Tuesday with the Ministry of Transport. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.