As the Easter season approaches—a time when thousands of Belizeans head to inland resorts, rivers, beaches, and family gatherings—Commissioner of Police Chester Williams is urging the public to exercise extreme caution both on the highways and in waterways.
Speaking to the press, Commissioner Williams acknowledged the troubling trend of increased fatalities during this time of year.
“At this time of the year, we know that the Easter season is one that many Belizeans tend to take for granted, and this has troubled us for many years,” he said.
He pointed to a recurring spike in loss of lives—not just due to road traffic accidents, but also drownings. As such, he is encouraging Belizeans to prioritise safety in every aspect of their holiday travel and recreation.
“We see an increase in loss of lives, not just on the highways, but also on the waterways,” he stated. “So we normally encourage our people to exercise extreme caution when using the highways. Try to drive within speed limits. Do not drive recklessly. Stay on your side of the road.”
For those planning to visit rivers and other bodies of water, Commissioner Williams advised against swimming alone.
“Always try to take somebody with you. Don’t go alone because sometimes the water is so cold, you can catch a cramp. And if nobody is there to assist you, you might just submerge and never resurface,” he warned.
He also advised swimmers to avoid entering deep areas where they cannot keep their head above water.
On the road safety front, the Commissioner said that police will be partnering with the Department of Transport to conduct nationwide enforcement operations.
“The police department will be working very closely with the Department of Transport countrywide to make sure we do our part to mitigate the occurrences of traffic accidents on the highways around this time,” he added.