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If you’ve been on the Northern Highway anytime in the last year or so – you’ll know that major work is underway just outside Sandhill near the Grace Bank junction between miles 21 and 22. It’s a new bridge over the flood prone Mexico Creek – and while progress is expected to bring problems – one driver who ran into the poorly lit constructions works last night says more than just problems, it’s made the northward journey perilous. Jim McFadzean has his story.

Jim McFadzean Reporting,
It is no secret poorly designed roads and highways coupled with little or no signage have made driving in the country of Belize one of the riskiest and deadliest experiences for motorists. Last Night here at this exact location, three Belizeans almost fell victims to this unfortunate reality.

Irvin Pitts, Injured Motorist
“We were heading up towards Gardenia area. Approaching towards this bridge section we saw a whole dark area because it was dark, it is not visible at night. So when we saw it reached to a dead end, we discussed and said that is a load of sand right there. So Clarence swerved from it at the slow speed he was going, he swerved from it, and since it is very dark you could not see, he ended up into the construction pile up ahead and then he collided into that and then ended up in the bridge rail.”

Jim McFadzean,
“At that point did the driver lose control of the vehicle?”

Irvin Pitts,
“When approaching the pile of sand he lost control, when he realized it was a dead end and ran over trying to escape from the sand and ran over the edge of the sand. He started to lose control and then he was talking to me still and he said which way to go because it was dark and we didn’t see which way the road is situated after we came off the pavement.”

Jim McFadzean,
“Neither you nor the driver became aware of the signage that is before the actual construction site?”

Irvin Pitts,
“We didn’t have no knowledge. We didn’t really see it. It was invisible to our eyesight.”

While clearly there are signs at the approach of this construction site, the question is how effective are they, and whether reckless driving played a larger role in this mishap.

Jim McFadzean,
“Irvin there are going to be some observers who will say it must be a strong possibility of either driving under the influence of alcohol or speed. How do you respond to that?”

Irvin Pitts,
“Well I was there and I know and on arrival at the hospital we took tests and I know my blood level was normal. For everybody alcohol was ruled out because I took a tetanus injection which I hadn’t taken in five years, I took pain injection, I got stitches, I get my x-ray done, and also Mr. Clarence was the driver but alcohol was not the possibility because we were sober enough to survive the impact that we were bracing for. It is not the speeding, it was not the alcohol, it was approaching the end that we ran over the pile of sand and flipped over.”

In a telephone conversation today, with 7News, the CEO for the Ministry of Works said he has expressed his concern to the roads building contractor, Wilfredo Guerrero, about increasing and improving the warning signals to the approach of the site, such as flashing lights. And while poor signage and warning lights, may or may not have contributed to last nights incident, there is an urgent need for better signage and warning on Belize’s poorly lit and unmarked roads.

One Such example of poor signage on Belize’s roads and highways is this bump just ahead of us….just north of the Old Northern Highway’s exit, there are no warnings or signage indicating that there is an approaching bump.

Only a mile or so away, another bump without any warnings at its approach. Belize’s roads and highways have become killing fields for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike. And school children living in rural areas, making their way home from school are often times the victims of such tragedy, as they too must find a way to share the poorly planned and designed roads. Speeding and reckless driving, along with discourteous drivers have added to the cocktail of a never ending traffic nightmare.

The true story reflecting the number of fatalities this tiny country of ours continue to endure, cannot be told. Poor record keeping over the years and a transport department seemingly shy of the press will not allow for such a revelation. Reporting for Seven News, I’m Jim McFadzean.

The three men in the accident sustained minor injuries while the vehicle was totalled. So what’s going to be done about the poor signage? Well, according to project manager Wilfredo Guerrerro three hurricane lanterns are placed approximately a quarter mile before the work site. He adds that the signs with the arrows have reflector and disputes what Mr. Pitts said about the signs not being visible. Guererro attributed what he called a freak accident to possible reckless driving.

And if you’re wondering why a bridge across Mexico Creek, well, when floods occur, the Creek flows in an easterly direction into the adjacent wetlands. But when the flooding is too great as it was in 2008 – the wetlands become inundated and force Mexico Creek to flow in the opposite direction – thus eroding the culvert on both sides and making it vulnerable to collapse.