Belize PM urges caution on roads as 10 people die in vehicular smash-up

BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – Belize's Prime Minister John Briceño has led the country in expressing sympathy to the families of the 10 people who died as a result of a vehicular accident, urging motorists and others to “utilise our roadways with sound judgment and care.”

“Adhere to traffic laws, speed limits, and the carrying capacities of our motor vehicles. Let's drive with care for our lives and those of our fellow citizens who use our roadways, municipal streets, and pathways. We are each other's keepers in every sphere of life and interaction,” Briceño added.

The police reported that the 10 victims, including a four-year-old child, were killed when a sport utility vehicle (SUV), a car, and a motorcycle collided last Saturday night.

The car burst into flames, and firefighters later recovered the bodies of nine people from the vehicle. The motorcycle rider died on impact, while the occupants of the SUV survived with varying degrees of injury.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander of the Eastern Division, stated that it is too early to determine whether alcohol played a role in the accident, which occurred between miles 71 and 72 on the San Ignacio/Benque Road, near the westernmost town in Belize.

“Tests will be done, and the results will determine whether alcohol was a factor,” he said, adding that police had received information indicating that there was a checkpoint before the accident.

Romero noted that the car “ran through the checkpoint and failed to stop.”

The Mayor of San Ignacio/Santa Elena, Earl Trapp, expressed frustration over the lax enforcement of traffic laws and called for greater vigilance from authorities.

“It's never too late. It's late in that lives have been lost, but we can still take responsibility. This reactionary moment should serve as a catalyst for implementing proactive measures. I believe now is the time for local authorities, as well as the government, to enforce the laws because the laws are already in place,” Trapp said.

He continued, “I've seen situations in this municipality where motorists and drivers have violated the laws, and then they attempt to annul their tickets. But I think it's high time that we, as leaders, take these matters seriously and enforce the laws. By doing so, one or two people may be upset, but in the end, we save lives.”

The Chief Transport Officer, Leon Gentle, stated that his office is developing new strategies to improve road safety and has been in discussions with the police department and municipal authorities.

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