And last month, the traffic and police departments started cracking down on seatbelts and cellphone usage. Many tickets were issued, but the ComPol suggested that the penalty should be tickets only - not arrests, since that would be excessive. Today the Minister explained the penalty.
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Youth, Sports & Transport
"I think the ComPol misunderstood what we wanted to accomplish at the Ministry of Transport. We are saying that we are going to issue tickets, it is easier and safer to issue tickets rather than saying there's a fine of $500 and sometimes the fines go elsewhere. So we remind the ComPol that at ticket must be issued when you fine that offense."
Courtney Menzies:
"But people who have been arrested for those offenses what can they do?"
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Youth, Sports & Transport
"In my recollection, I don't know if anybody was arrested. All I know is that there was three that was being charged for those who broke the law but we have corrected that now so we're saying a ticket must be issued."
Courtney Menzies:
"So you find that more people are using seatbelts now?"
Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Youth, Sports & Transport
"Yeah. As I get in my vehicle now even if I am in town, I make sure I put on my seatbelt because now it's a law in the country of Belize."
