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Transport Ministry Cracks Down on Unsafe Trucking Practices Across Belize

Drivers can expect safer road conditions as the Ministry of Transportation intensifies efforts to regulate the movement of aggregates and construction materials. Concerns have been raised over the compliance of truck drivers when it comes to securing cargo, weight limits and other legal requirements.  In an interview with Love News, the Ministry’s CEO, Chester Williams, expressed the urgent need to clamp down on non-compliant companies, noting that unchecked violations pose serious risks to other road users. 

Chester Williams, CEO, Ministry of Transport: “There is a lot of issue surrounding the transportation of aggregates on our highways. We have seen that there are a number of trucks, some privately owned and some owned by companies carrying aggregates on our highways and as much as the law is saying that these aggregates must be properly secured we see in some instances they haul a half way tarpaulin on the aggregates, the aggregates are peaked above the edge of the pan of the dump truck and these things are extremely hazardous to road users. A number of persons have complained and people continue to complain of rocks falling from these dump trucks, damaging windshields, damaging gypsy windows, even damaging paint on vehicles and whenever these things occur the insurance companies do not want to compensate the owners of these vehicles. This must be done, it will serve as a deterrent who have that propensity and so we’re hoping that drivers are going to take heed and we won’t have to reach that stage where we’ll be ticketing a number of persons but we have to do what we can to make our highways safe for all our citizens and visitors who use our highway.”

The ministry says it will be increasing enforcement along major highways to ensure public safety and accountability.