The Belize Road Safety Project hosted its second Defensive Driving Training from March 29 to 31, 2021, for 17 officers from the Ministry of Transport and traffic officers from five municipalities. The course also included a four-hour First Responders Training Session.
In 2019, the Government of Belize received a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to finance Belize’s Second Road Safety Project. The loan supports interventions to build the country’s road safety management capacity, improve the safety of road infrastructure, and improve post-crash care.
The Government of Belize Road Safety Project, developed with the CDB, was the first of its kind in the Caribbean. It uses a multifaceted approach and includes the United Nations Pillars of Action for Road Safety.
Road traffic injuries have significant negative impacts at all levels as they place significant emotional, psychological and financial burdens on families of crash victims. They also elevate the number of healthy life-years lost, loss of productivity and income for victims and their caretakers, and contribute to the overall mortality and morbidity levels in the country.
Road trauma is a preventable public health challenge. Based on statistical data, 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. Traffic data also shows that driver’s negligence has been identified as a substantial factor causing traffic crashes. Positive strides have been taken to help contribute to increased awareness in reducing the severity of road traffic deaths and injuries. However, it will still take the combined efforts of all road users, particularly drivers, as their behaviour is a key component for good judgement when focusing on the road.
Belize continues its strides towards safer roads and road use.
