Road Accidents Surge in 2024: A Growing Concern

In 2024, Belize faced an alarming increase in road traffic accidents. The crisis spanned highways, urban streets, and rural roads. Among the most troubling trends was the significant rise in motorcycle accidents, which prompted the public to demand that the Briceño Administration do what it can to prevent any more of these accidents.

By December, road traffic accidents (RTAs) had claimed dozens of lives, with motorcycles accounting for a disproportionate number of fatalities and severe injuries. Fatalities were linked to speeding, reckless overtaking, poor road conditions, and a lack of safety measures, including helmets and protective gear.

The most tragic of the accidents in 2024 was the incident that occurred on the Benque Road in December. That incident claimed the lives of 10 people. In late November, the Caye Caulker Ocean Academy High School boys’ basketball team was involved in a tragic traffic accident on the Philip Goldson Highway. They were en route to a regional tournament in Orange Walk when their vehicle overturned due to a blowout. There were 12 passengers. One person died. On December 2, a collision involving a motorcycle and a sedan on the George Price Highway resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries. Reckless overtaking and limited visibility were identified as key factors in this tragic accident. Meanwhile, in mid-September, a motorcyclist lost his life in a collision with a pickup truck on the Philip Goldson Highway. Witnesses reported that the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet, a recurring issue in many of the year’s incidents.

Festive seasons, including Easter and Christmas, saw spikes in motorcycle-related crashes, with many victims under 30 years old. Alcohol consumption and speeding were frequently cited causes.

Increase in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents surged in 2024—a sharp increase compared to previous years. Several factors contributed to this alarming trend. Many riders failed to use helmets, leading to a higher rate of severe head injuries. Additionally, a growing number of young, inexperienced riders took to the roads without proper training or licenses, exacerbating the risks. Speeding was another significant issue, with motorcycles frequently involved in high-speed collisions, particularly on highways. Poor infrastructure, including potholes, uneven road surfaces, and inadequate lighting, further compounded the dangers faced by motorcyclists.

The impact of this surge was felt keenly by emergency services. Hospitals reported a rise in trauma cases related to motorcycle accidents, with many victims requiring extended hospital stays. Medical personnel also noted that survivors often faced permanent disabilities, placing long-term physical and financial burdens on individuals and their families.

Government and Stakeholder Response

Recognising the uptick in motorcycle-related fatalities, the government announced plans to enforce helmet use more strictly and increase penalties for non-compliance. T

Prime Minister John Briceño has issued an urgent call for reforms to Belize’s road safety laws, emphasising the critical need to address the rising number of traffic fatalities, particularly among young people and motorcyclists. Speaking in the House of Representatives, Briceño underscored the necessity of legislative action, stricter enforcement, and a cultural shift in driving behaviours to tackle what he described as a preventable crisis.

Cabinet has directed the attorney general to conduct a comprehensive review of Belize’s road safety regulations, focusing specifically on offences related to driving under the influence (DUI). Briceño suggested adopting stricter penalties, drawing comparisons to 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 firmly.

Expressing frustration over the recklessness on Belize’s roads, the Prime Minister recounted a personal experience where he reported a suspected drunk driver on the highway. The individual, later identified as one of his constituents, was arrested. Briceño shared that the driver’s father thanked him afterward, acknowledging that the incident had taught his son an important lesson about road safety and responsibility.

To strengthen enforcement, Briceño announced plans to enhance highway surveillance through 24-hour patrols, particularly during nighttime hours when drunk driving incidents are most frequent. “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. Additionally, the government intends to modernise enforcement tools, amending laws to allow the use of speed guns, breathalysers, and dash cams to empower police officers in detecting and penalising reckless drivers effectively.

The Prime Minister also addressed the alarming statistics on motorcycle fatalities. Of the 108 road deaths recorded in 2024, 50 involved motorcyclists—a staggering figure. Briceño highlighted the reckless behaviour of some riders as a major concern and announced plans for stricter licensing requirements. These include mandatory helmet use, with safety standards ensuring helmets remain secure upon impact.

Briceño also criticised unsafe practices involving children on motorcycles, sharing a recent example from a Cabinet group chat where a man and a woman were seen riding a motorcycle with a small child precariously held between them. Calling the practice a grave safety hazard, he urged stricter enforcement to prevent such violations.

Emphasising the shared responsibility of road safety, Briceño called on all Belizeans to play their part in reducing traffic fatalities. “At the end of the day, it’s me, you, and all of us collectively,” he stated. “We are the drivers, and we all have a role to play in making our roads safer.”

What is the Department of Transport Doing? 

The Department of Transport is exploring the idea of publicly naming individuals convicted of drunk driving as a measure to address the alarming rise in fatal road traffic incidents. With 14 lives lost in a single month due to traffic accidents, the department is facing mounting public scrutiny over its efforts to combat the root causes, such as driving under the influence.

Despite receiving several breathalysers in 2021 for use on Belize’s highways, questions persist about the frequency of their use and the admissibility of their results in court.

The Belize Police Department has also been proactive in tackling drunk driving. A recent report from the BPD disclosed that 215 individuals were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol between January and November 2024.

As the Transport Department and law enforcement agencies take steps to curb dangerous driving behaviours, the hope is that these measures will contribute to reducing the tragic loss of lives on Belize’s roads.

The ministry is also partnering with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to enhance Belize’s traffic legislation. These discussions aim to address critical issues such as inadequate enforcement and reckless driving, which have been flagged as contributing factors to the spike in accidents.

Enforcement has also been identified as a significant challenge.