PM Briceño Calls for Tougher Road Safety Laws

Prime Minister John Briceño has called for urgent reforms to Belize’s road safety laws, citing the alarming rise in traffic fatalities, particularly those involving young people and motorcyclists. Speaking in the House of Representatives, Briceño highlighted the need for legislative action, stricter enforcement, and a cultural shift in driving behaviour.

Briceño revealed that Cabinet has directed the Attorney General to conduct a comprehensive review of Belize’s road safety regulations, with a specific focus on driving under the influence (DUI) offenses. He suggested that Belize may need to follow the example of the United States, where DUI-related fatalities can result in murder charges. “People need to understand that if you drive under the influence and get in an accident, we are going to throw the whole book at you,” he stated.

The Prime Minister expressed frustration with the culture of reckless driving and said that many of the country’s fatal accidents are preventable. He shared a personal anecdote of calling the police to report a suspected drunk driver on the highway. The driver, later revealed to be one of his own constituents, was arrested. The father of the driver later thanked Briceño, saying the experience taught his son an important lesson.

On the matter of enforcement, PM Briceño announced that the Ministry of Transportation has been tasked with strengthening highway surveillance. Plans are in motion to introduce 24-hour patrols, with heightened efforts during nighttime hours when drunk driving incidents are most likely to occur. “This is when people are coming from parties or social events after drinking, and that’s when we see most of the accidents,” he explained.

The Prime Minister also stressed the need to modernise enforcement tools. He revealed plans to amend laws to allow the use of speed guns, breathalysers, and dash cams to ensure police officers are equipped with the necessary tools to detect and penalise reckless drivers.

Briceño spoke on the alarming statistics on motorcycle-related fatalities. He shared that of the 108 road deaths recorded in 2024, 50 involved motorcyclists. He described the reckless behaviour of some riders as a significant problem and announced that stricter licensing requirements for motorcyclists will be introduced. This includes mandatory helmet use, with helmets required to meet safety standards that prevent them from dislodging on impact.

He also criticised the dangerous practice of parents riding motorcycles with young children precariously perched between them. In one instance, shared in a Cabinet group chat, a man and a woman were seen riding a motorcycle with a small child held only by the mother’s legs. Briceño condemned the practice as a serious safety risk, calling for stricter enforcement against such violations.

The Prime Minister stressed the need for collective responsibility in reducing traffic fatalities. “At the end of the day, it’s me, you, and all of us collectively,” Briceño declared. “We are the drivers, and we all have a role to play in making our roads safer.”