In response to mounting road safety concerns, Belize’s Ministry of Transport is developing comprehensive new regulations targeting motorcycle riders. The initiative follows public resistance to mandatory training programs and comes shortly after the nation’s first recorded fatal motorcycle collision of 2026.
Transport CEO Chester Williams has announced that nighttime riders will likely be required to wear high-visibility reflective jackets to address accidents caused by poor visibility. “Sometimes these riders are on the road at nighttime and you’re unable to see them,” Williams stated. “Having a reflective jacket is going to help them tremendously in terms of being seen by other motorists.”
The ministry is simultaneously collaborating with the Bureau of Standards to establish rigorous helmet certification requirements. Williams indicated the government is considering tiered protection standards, potentially mandating different helmet specifications for highway versus urban riding. “We might require this level of helmet for the highways and maybe in cities and towns might be a different standard,” he explained.
Emphasizing the safety-first approach, Williams clarified that the measures aim to protect riders rather than create financial burdens. The comprehensive safety package is expected to be presented to the public in early 2026, representing Belize’s latest effort to reduce motorcycle-related casualties through enhanced visibility and protection standards.