Helmet Crackdown Begins as Motorcycle Deaths Surge

Belize is taking action to tackle a growing road safety crisis. A new National Helmet Standards and Regulation Training Program is now underway, aiming to improve how helmet laws are enforced across the country. The initiative kicked off today in the capital, bringing together transport officials and police officers for hands-on training. The push comes amid rising concern over the number of motorcyclists being killed or seriously injured, many without proper helmets. The program is led by the Department of Transport, with support from the FIA Foundation and the Belize Automobile Touring Association. News Five’s Britney Gordon has more on this effort to save lives on the road.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Motorcycles are at the center of Belize’s road deaths, making up nearly four in every ten fatal crashes. The main killer, head injuries, often because riders aren’t wearing helmets. Now, the Ministry of Transport is stepping in. New helmet safety rules are rolling out, starting with today’s launch of a national training program. Chief Transport Officer Leon Gentle says the push was fast-tracked, as authorities race to curb rising deaths on the road.

 

Leon Gentle, Chief Transport Officer

“You all are aware that helmets are mandatory use as it relates to our laws in Belize. Unfortunately, it does not tell you what type of helmet to use. And so you would find sometimes you have half helmets or motors, bicycle helmets being used by motorcycle riders. I must proudly acknowledge that the Department of Transport and the Bureau of Standards pushed the entire team to the limits to accelerate the process of getting us to where we are here today.”

 

The initiative began in August 2025, with an initial meeting with the Bureau of Standards to establish a national standard for protective motorcycle helmets. Current laws make helmets mandatory for all riders; however, many fail to adhere to the regulation. The program aims to teach riders why proper helmets matter, how to wear them correctly, and where to get certified ones. The training kicked off in Belmopan.  Mayor Pablo Cawich says as more motorcycles hit the road, this kind of training is essential.

 

Pablo Cawich, Mayor of Belmopan

“The reality is that motorcycle riders are amongst the most vulnerable road users. A single accident can change or end a life within seconds. Proper helmet standards, public awareness, and effective enforcement are therefore not simply regulatory matters, they are life-saving measures. This training program represents a significant step forward for Belize. Over the next two days, participants will discuss the development and implementation of Belize’s helmet standard, Belize Standard 31. 2026.” 

 

The training was created in partnership with the FIA Foundation, a UK-based charity organization committed to promoting safe, green and fair mobility.

 

Agnieszka Krasnolucka, Program Manager, FIA Foundation

“ Motorcycles have became, and also been mentioned, the riskiest mode of road travel today.  According to the WHO status report, thirty percent of global road fatalities happen amongst riders and increased by a third since twenty thirteen. Southeast Asia suffers the most. Motorcycle fatalities represent forty-six percent of all fatalities, but Americas are not really far behind. Fatalities are here at the level of twenty-five percent, and of course, some countries are seeing much higher statistics. Critical to note, motorcycle riders are most likely to die of head injuries, and this is frankly unacceptable because there are solutions to prevent that.”

 

Officials say requiring internationally recognized helmet standards will help save lives and boost Belize’s overall road safety efforts. Britney Gordon for News Five.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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