AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye cars on the island??

I have ordered a hummer (small one)

It's the same old problem. It is not the vehicles that are the root of the problem. It is the persons responsible for driving them. I am referring to accidents and not excess traffic problem, another issue.
I am a firm believer that fear of punishment causes changes in personal behavior. When I was young spankings, and as I grew older the fear of losing my driving privilege, caused me to modify my behavior.
Now I know that the opponents of capital punishment will argue that it does not prevent crime. Based on the merits of that argument, I will not suggest capital punishment for traffic violations in San Pedro. Nor will I suggest spankings. As once again, the opponents of capital punishment would offer the argument that if a good looking police woman were to spank Pedro for not wearing his seat belt, it would probably not change his not wearing his seat belt - just the opposite.
But I do believe, that the enforcement of traffic laws thru fines and the loss of driving privileges would greatly improve the safety on the island.

Non insured - loss of license for one year and possible 6 months in jail, if stopped by Police. If stopped by Traffic - $125 fine.

"It is not the vehicles that are the root of the problem."

I disagree on that point, even a few short years ago when there were fewer vehicles people drove with more courtesy and care. The more vehicles we get, the worse and more agressive the drivers seem to get.

You're totally right on enforcement. Has anyone actually seen the phantom radar gun that the police department is supposed to have?

I've been "brushed" by the taxis more than once.(you would think i would have learned to get the hell out of the way the first time), They just don't seem to care about the people or carts. The police should become a little more proactive with all the speeding / wreckless drivers on the caye before more people get injured or killed.

I think spankings would be a delightful idea. Public spankings in central park for speeders and drunk drivers. I'd go.

Last week we almost got hit by three vehicles while driving our golf cart...a taxi, the Police pick-up truck and the fire truck. Really!

I'm with ya Simon. When I first visited SP there were few cars/vans/trucks. I got around by golf cart, bike, or walked, w/an occasional cab ride -& still do - but now, dodging traffic. I think that was so much of the charm, etc., of going there - it was nothing like home. The roads aren't wide enough for larger vehicles & that's where I've seen many close calls. One driver racing around another driver. And the driver doesn't even have to be going any slower, the other just wants to go faster.

Reaper, Did you happen to be running from the police, on fire, all the while looking like you needed a taxi?

Simon, as long as they keep building more and more condos, houses and resorts and developing every inch of land on the island, there is going to be a need for more vehicles. You can't have it both ways. Development, or what some refer to as progess, brings with it those needs and challenges.
The only answer is to have those people driving drive responsibly and safely.
You will not be able to limit the number of vehicles and still have development. But you sure can not only limit, but eliminate from driving those that do not drive responsilby and safely.