We took a drive with Ritchie Bardalez today, He's the owner of Capstone, a Toledo based drivers ed program, who is also a driving instructor for independent learners and corporations. Bardalez gave us a breakdown on the do's and most common driver errors that often lead to accidents. Jomarie Lanza has this story.

If you ask the average Belizean how they first learned to drive, the response you'd most likely get is that they learned on their own or it took a few tries. Many first time drivers often learn independently, with the impression that all there is to it is to start up the engine and shift gear into drive. But in reality it is much more complex than you would think. Ritchie Bardalez, the owner of Capstone, a flagship drivers education program, says that he first took to driving many years ago with the help of a manual. And after some years his experience prompted him to create a program that would not only teach people how to drive, but how they can keep themselves safe on the road as well.

Ritchie Bardalez, Owner, Capstone
"I've done the instruction in Belmopan and in Dangriga and in Punta Gorda and of course in some Rural areas as well and in some of the more relaxed environments if you will it is easier on the student to learn they can learn at a slower pace with that being said traffic is picking up in Belmopan for example. In Punta Gorda even, Punta Gorda can have its own level of congestion I'm sure not at the level you see it here in the city but I'm sure one of the good things about learning as well in PG is I think the driving culture is a little bit better if you will because we have all heard the horror stories about Belize City right I think people down there tend to be more courteous and student drivers actually get to learn from the behavior of other drivers as well whereas in Belize city they may pick up some bad habits if that makes sense."

Bardalez says that at times many accidents occur due to a lack of educational awareness on road safety and driving. Meaning that you can be the most careful driver but that won't stop others from making reckless on dangerous decisions where traffic is involved.

Ritchie Bardalez, Owner, Capstone
"So from what I've seen I think the major issue is that people don't know how to anticipate so anticipation is a major concept in defensive driving where you are thinking ahead and you are trying to determine what can go wrong. The way I've seen people drive in Belize is that they drive as if nothing will go wrong or nothing unexpected will ever happen. And they believe that if I just stay in my lane you know if something happens I'm not in the wrong but anticipation will help you prepare for the unexpected and we also teach courtesy and a proper attitude meaning that you try to go above and beyond to avoid accidents and just avoid trouble if you can even if it's not your fault you try to go out of your way to make sure people don't get hurt and that accidents won't happen."

So many factors can lead to accidents but the main cause of all is of course drunk driving, and driving without due care and attention .

Ritchie Bardalez, Owner, Capstone
"Drinking and driving for sure, distracted driving those are the main two causes of accidents and distracted driving is a major one close behind drunk driving so it is really something people need to be mindful of so those are two main ones and number three would be driving while under distress of heavy emotion that leads to aggressive behavior and number four would be maybe not allocating enough time to get where you are going so you are rushing. I always tell people you know just plan your time properly."

"I always tell people send that text or make that call, put on that song before you take off for your trip you know. Set those things and do those things while you are still parked if you need to take an urgent call or send that text then haul off to the side of your road where it is safe to do so and people will do it on the highway so just being aware of the behavior you know is what's needed so for example whenever I see a vehicle coming towards me on the highway I keep a close eye on them to make sure they are staying in their lane and so I slow down and reduce speed to prepare for any unexpected movements on their part so if I see them drifting into my lane because they are distracted then I am prepared to react."

You can find the Capstone program on Facebook or on the web. He also offers a comprehensive online component.