The Department of Transport is stepping up its game when it comes to motorcycle safety. In a new push to clean up the roads, the department has relaunched a nationwide enforcement campaign targeting some of the most common and dangerous violations. So, what’s on their radar? Think loud bikes disturbing quiet neighborhoods, riders ditching their helmets, and people squeezing more passengers onto a motorcycle than the law allows. Officials say these aren’t just annoyances, they’re serious safety risks. As part of the campaign, you can expect surprise spot checks, with help from the Police Department and Municipal Traffic Authorities. And if you’re caught breaking the rules? Your bike could be impounded, and you could face penalties. Transport Minister Louis Zabaneh also weighed in during today’s budget debate, noting that his ministry’s budget just got a twenty-five percent boost, fueling efforts like this one to make Belize’s roads safer for everyone.
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport
“To properly move forward with improved enforcement of traffic laws and regulations to meet international standards, to restructure and strengthen the National Transport Monitoring and Reevaluation Systems, to increase public awareness of transport policies, laws and safety messages and to generally pursue a transportation system we can be proud of, this budget has increased the allocation from last year eight million three hundred and ninety-four thousand five hundred and ten dollars, to ten million, five hundred and thirty six thousand, one hundred and twenty one dollars, a twenty-five percent increase. We will work diligently with what we have and be innovative in creating practical solutions with the aim always to improve safety on our highways and increase the reliability and service of our bus transport sector.”