Six new Highway Patrol Vehicles for Belize

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Belize’s major highways will now be safer with extra patrol vehicles to reduce accidents and save lives. Personnel from the Second Road Safety Project officially handed over six fully equipped Highway Patrol vehicles on Tuesday afternoon at the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) Building in Belmopan City. All vehicles were delivered by the Belize Diesel and Equipment Company Limited of Belize. In his feature address the Hon. Edmond Castro, Minister of Transport and the National Emergency Management Organization told the audience at a brief ceremony in Belmopan that “This Government is looking after you, we are concerned about users on the highway.”
Minister Castro also urged drivers to drive carefully. “We are asking for the drivers, who will be engaged on the various corridors to keep your eyes on the road.”
Also speaking on Tuesday was Tirso Galvez, Chief Transport Officer within the Ministry of Transport. Galvez reminded that “Road Safety is everybody’s business.” Galvez recognized the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of Belize for acquiring the six vehicles, which come with a four year comprehensive insurance and maintenance plan along with an extended warranty.
With the additional vehicles the Traffic Department will now be able to cover the Northern Corridor, the Coastal Highway and other areas. Due to the presence of patrol vehicles, deaths on our highways have been reduced.
A release from the Government of Belize and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) on Tuesday discloses that in 2019 the Government received funds in loan financing from the CDB towards the cost of Belize’s Second Road Safety Project. This is to roll out Belize’s Road Safety Master Plan 2030 approved by Cabinet.
Speed continues to contribute to approximately one-third of all fatal road traffic crashes in high-income countries and up to half in low and middle-income countries. Belize is no exception to the tragedies on our highways. Consequently, 20 Traffic Enforcement Officers participated in the Defensive Driving Training in December 2019 as they prepared for the handing over of vehicles on Tuesday.