San Pedro Traffic Department

Island resident and bartender Danny Sosa, 23, remains hospitalized after he was knocked down by a golf cart driven by an alleged intoxicated driver. Sosa's left leg was severely injured and required two surgeries. As he remains hospitalized at the Orange Walk Sugar City Medical Centre, the family is reaching out to the public for help with medical expenses. There will be a fundraising Bar-B-Que on Sunday, May 19th, on Pescador Drive in downtown San Pedro, and anyone able to make a monetary donation can do so to the account under the name of Josseline Carolina Fuentes, Belize Bank, 237446010160000. The family can also be contacted at the phone number 626-0620.

The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) is taking a proactive stance by enforcing restrictions on golf cart rentals, urging them to park their vehicles in their respective garages rather than in public spaces. This measure, while rental operators say it causes some inconvenience, is ultimately aimed at relieving downtown congestion and ensuring ample parking space for private golf cart owners and tourists. The SPTC emphasized that trade licenses clearly state that golf cart companies must operate within their premises and, therefore, should not use public spaces for parking.

The San Pedro Traffic Department plans to enforce Chapter 230, sections 74-80, with legal stipulations for drivers under the influence of alcohol. With a breathalyzer, traffic wardens can detect if a driver is intoxicated. The enforcement of these regulations comes after an increase in traffic incidents involving drunk driving.

Following a nearly tragic incident involving a large dump truck and a man on a bicycle, an online petition to better monitor or possibly stop the flow of large vehicles in downtown San Pedro was launched. The accident happened on Thursday, April 18th, when the individual was reportedly pinned to a utility post when a huge truck tried to make a right turn at the end of Angel Coral Street. Passersby alerted the cyclist just in time. Medical personnel assisted the bicyclist, who was treated for minor injuries. However, this incident fueled rising concerns from islanders who believe urgent action is necessary to prevent a potential tragedy. As a result, resident Carina Paz created an online petition with over a thousand signatures by Wednesday, April 24th.

Drinking and driving in Belize is illegal, and if you rent a golf cart, having a designated driver is recommended while enjoying the San Pedro nightlife with some cocktails. Both the San Pedro Traffic Department and emergency responders have stated that the number of incidents involving drunk driving is on the rise.

Over Easter, locals and tourists in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, celebrated with religious events and beach activities. The celebrations took place in various locations across the island, including the popular Secret Beach on the northwest coast of Ambergris Caye. Visitors began arriving on Thursday, March 28th, eager to enjoy the festivities on La Isla Bonita.

On Thursday, March 21st, the San Pedro Traffic Department participated in a training program to improve their knowledge of traffic laws, safety, and law enforcement. The training was organized in line with the Department of Transport's mission to develop, promote, and regulate a modern and efficient transportation sector through effective traffic management, human resource development, and community participation, focusing on public safety.

For the past few weeks, motorists driving north of the town core and in the San Juan area have been experiencing increased detours. The San Pedro Traffic Department puts these detours in place to reroute traffic away from ongoing road construction in the area and control traffic flow. However, many residents claim that these detours are causing unnecessary congestion and have questioned the time frame of their implementation.