7 News Belize

Funding For Highway Improvement
posted (May 22, 2012)
Just last week we showed you a tragic accident on the Western Highway that claimed the lives of four persons in one family. The problem is the limestone surface - that becomes slick with even a light rain. Well, now, help is on the way; Belize has secured funding for a road safety improvement project.

It is 7.2 million US dollar loan from the Caribbean development Bank, which will be used to upgrade roads, educate the public and deploy more enforcement personnel.

According to the figures, Belize recorded 70 road traffic deaths in 2009, equivalent to 21 traffic deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, which is the highest fatality rate of the 17 Borrowing Member Countries of the CDB. The CDB says that this is disturbing both as a public health issue, and also "translates into significant social and economic impacts due to lost productivity and increased vulnerability to poverty."

And so the funds will be used to upgrade fifty miles of primary roads from 1 and 2-star safety levels to a minimum of 3-stars. Additionally, 100 teachers are to be trained to deliver a road safety curriculum to 2,000 students.

Also, 20 public officers will be trained in road safety management, and 35 more will be trained in traffic law enforcement. The release does not say when work will commence.

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