In a stark defense of controversial new road safety measures, Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh has declared mandatory motorcycle training requirements will proceed despite public opposition. The policy initiative follows a devastating year on the nation’s roads, with 108 traffic fatalities recorded in 2024—50 of which involved motorcycle accidents.
The Ministry of Transport’s proposed mandate, developed in response to these alarming statistics, aims to strengthen enforcement of existing traffic regulations while introducing specialized training protocols for motorcycle operators. The program has drawn criticism for its associated $300 fee, which some critics argue imposes undue financial burden on lower-income riders.
Minister Zabaneh offered an uncompromising rebuttal to these concerns during a recent press briefing. ‘We’re not here to be jumping when somebody posts on social media that $300 is too much for a poor man,’ stated the Minister. ‘Consider the alternative: $1,500 for your casket, plus the immeasurable cost to those you might injure in an accident.’
The Minister elaborated on the hidden costs of traffic incidents, noting that serious injuries could leave families caring for disabled relatives indefinitely. ‘If you have the misfortune that you have to go to the hospital and are left vegetative, your family must provide care for the rest of your life.’
Addressing the training curriculum itself, Zabaneh revealed the program had been substantially condensed from an initial six-week duration to a more accessible two-week format. He clarified that the frequently cited $300 figure represents a maximum threshold rather than a fixed fee, suggesting actual costs might be lower.
The Ministry maintains that these preventive measures, while potentially inconvenient, represent a necessary investment in public safety that ultimately saves both lives and long-term economic costs associated with traffic fatalities and serious injuries.