BELIZE CITY – Political tensions have escalated over Belize’s forthcoming mandatory motorcycle training program, with the United Democratic Party (UDP) condemning the initiative as financially burdensome for citizens. The controversial two-week course, scheduled for implementation in January 2026, will require participants to pay up to $300 for completion.
During the UDP’s inaugural press conference with its newly appointed executive team, Opposition Leader Tracy Panton delivered a scathing critique of the transport policy. “This measure will materially impact our citizens while offering no concrete guarantee of enhanced highway safety,” Panton asserted, highlighting the economic strain on working-class Belizeans.
The UDP leader characterized the policy as fundamentally misguided, emphasizing that enforcement of existing traffic regulations should take precedence over imposing new financial obligations. “We cannot endorse any initiative that forces the working class to continually shoulder the heaviest burdens amidst rising living costs and proliferating taxes,” Panton stated, bluntly labeling the program “a hustle.”
The government’s mandate follows a distressing surge in motorcycle fatalities, with official records indicating fifty rider deaths in 2024 alone. Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh previously defended the $300 fee in November, noting that the cost pales in comparison to funeral expenses.
In a preemptive social media post preceding the UDP’s press conference, Transport CEO Chester Williams advocated for the training program, citing years of escalating roadway tragedies. “We have witnessed our future bleeding out on our highways while remaining passive observers,” Williams wrote, criticizing those who offer social media condolences rather than supporting preventive measures. He urged citizens to consider the potential lifesaving benefits of the training initiative, questioning whether inaction has already claimed too many young lives.