Traffic

Traffic congestion in San Pedro Town is a significant concern for the island's residents. There has been an increase in vehicular activity in the downtown area, threatening pedestrians, especially students. As a result, the San Pedro Traffic Department has implemented various strategies to manage the congestion during certain hours of the day.

For the past years, the issue of traffic congestion in the downtown area of San Pedro has been a constant challenge to tackle. The cause has been attributed to congestion in specific areas, such as the local airport and water taxi terminals. As such, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) is implementing restrictions for golf cart rentals at these ports of entry, prohibiting them from parking, loading, unloading, and soliciting business. These restrictions did not sit well with some stakeholders, who felt targeted, describing these as unfair and harmful for their companies. A call was also made to reconsider part of the regulation and further investigate the issue of taxi drivers taking up street space and overcharging.

The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) is still working out details to launch their parking meter pilot project on Barrier Reef Drive (Front Street) to alleviate the traffic congestion in the downtown area. According to the island administration, there is no definite time to launch the project. Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez said the project is underway, but first, they need to prepare an alternate parking area inside the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Arena (Saca Chispas field). Mayor Nuñez also touched on some factors affecting the parking issue downtown, like golf cart rentals taking up too much public space and adding to the congestion.

While no one was reported injured in a traffic mishap on Wednesday, August 23th, involving two large trucks on the northern road of Ambergris Caye, the incident raised concerns among commuters using the daily route. The issue of these large trucks speeding can potentially endanger other motorists. The problem is a shared concern with residents in the downtown area equally traversed by these large trucks. The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) and its transport department have set schedules and regulations for these large vehicles, but the issue persists. Those concerned urge the respective authorities to do more before someone gets hurt.

Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Youth, Sports and Transport, attended the inauguration ceremony of Mobility ADO’s daily bus service between Belize and Cancun in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico, on August 4.

The three-day conference focused on streamlining and standardizing traffic management systems across municipal and national authorities. Traffic managers will develop a new Handbook of National Policies and Procedures for the issuance of driving licenses and vehicle registration and licensing, as mandated by the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.

The competition between taxi operators and golf cart rentals at Central Park has been an ongoing issue that led to the intervention of the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) in the past. Taxi drivers who visit Central Park to pick up water taxi passengers at busy times have reported that traffic wardens do not allow them to park. In contrast, golf cart rentals are reportedly allowed to stay and solicit.

The Department of Transport is partnering with the Caye Caulker Village Council and the Belize Police Department to conduct rigorous traffic enforcement in Caye Caulker during the Lobster Fest weekend from July 14th to 16th, 2023. The enforcement exercise will ensure compliance with the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, with the overall goal of reducing road traffic incidents caused by driving under the influence of alcohol or reckless driving.