Traffic chokes San Pedro
On yesterday’s newscast we reported the tragic death of 2-year old Jonathon Lara. The young San Pedrano died after being run over by a van, which had stopped to pick up his sister for school. While the accident was one which could have occurred anywhere, it nonetheless focused attention on a growing problem affecting Belize’s most popular tourism destination. Jacqueline Woods has the story.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
One thing the island of San Pedro does not need more is motor vehicles. Traffic has simply grown out of control in the town. The result is congestion, frustration and what often appears to be a permanent cloud of traffic induced dust.
Jacqueline Woods
“You think they are too many vehicles on the island? ”
Gustavo Valdez, Resident
“Oh yes….plenty.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What was it like before?”
Gustavo Valdez
“There was nothing since I have lived here. Well you just walk and no traffic.”
Today the island is flooded with large vehicles such as vans, jeeps, trucks, pickups and cars. In 1999 a total of 745 vehicles were registered. This includes 467 golf carts, 45 motorcycles, 44 vans, 55 station wagons, 101 pickups, 5 tractors, 19 trucks, 4 trailers and 1 mule cart.
Amanda Syme, Chairperson, Traffic Control Committee
“Yes, we definitely have a problem, mainly with the larger trucks, taxis and so on. We have speed limits that are not being enforced at the moment. We are certainly appealing to get more help from the police and more transport officers out here on the island and we are asking the general public to downsize their vehicles and slowly but surely we hope to turn practically everything electric. You know as in golf carts and so on.”
It is not the first time that traffic has been an issue on the island. In the past there were plans to address the problem. However many felt because of political interference, there were never any solutions. Today the committee says they have put a ban on the importation of new vehicles and the law will be adhered to.
Amanda Syme
“When we placed the moratorium into effect, it was Gazetted, it is law, it has to be stood by. The only minister that can overrule that would be the Minister of Transportation and he has never asked and I doubt he will ever command us to go against what we suggest or recommended. Being the people on the ground he knows and respects our judgment and I don’t believe that will ever happen.”
The only thing that is being allowed are replacement vehicles, nothing additional. Syme says while it may be difficult to see that the problem is being addressed, she says they are making progress.
Reporting for News Five, I am Jacqueline Woods
While most of San Pedro’s streets are still sand a small area running south of the airstrip has been surfaced with concrete paving stones.
