The FIA Foundation has supported a major national initiative in Belize to improve motorcycle helmet compliance and strengthen road safety outcomes nationwide.

A two-day national ‘train the trainers’ programme brought together enforcement agencies, municipal traffic officers, helmet importers, motorcycle community representatives, and road safety stakeholders, led by the Belize Department of Transport, and the FIA Foundation and FIA Club Member - Belize Automobile Touring Association (BATA), as the country introduces its first helmet standard legislation. The event was also supported, endorsed and attended by His Worship Pablo Cawich, Mayor of the City of Belmopan, who highlighted the impact of safe helmet enforcement in his own city and across the whole of Belize.

Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users in Belize, making helmet quality and proper enforcement critical components of national road safety efforts.

The training programme was designed to equip frontline stakeholders with the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to understand the legal and technical requirements of the new regulations, identify compliant and non-compliant helmets, detect counterfeit and substandard products, conduct roadside and field-based assessments, deliver accurate public safety messaging, and promote coordinated enforcement across agencies and sectors.
FIA Foundation Programmes Director Aggie Krasnlolucka joined participants, including representatives from the Department of Transport, municipal traffic management teams, public safety personnel, helmet importers and retailers, motorcycle club representatives, and road safety stakeholders.

The first day of training focused on classroom and workshop-based learning sessions covering the 2026 Belize Helmet Standards & Regulations, identification of approved helmet certification markings, counterfeit helmet detection methods, visual inspection techniques, and practical exercises using sample helmets. Participants also explored inter-agency coordination and enforcement responsibilities as part of a unified national approach to motorcycle safety.

The second day moved into practical measures for field deployment and community engagement activities. Participants conducted roadside and community helmet observations, assessed real-world compliance trends, participated in data collection exercises, and engaged directly with motorcyclists and members of the public. Public awareness materials were distributed throughout the exercises, alongside team debriefings and coordinated enforcement discussions.

The initiative reflects Belize’s growing commitment to improving motorcycle safety through stronger regulation, coordinated enforcement, and public education. The activity builds on the 2025 Head Up! Regional Think Tank which brought together auto clubs and technical specialists from across the Latin American and Caribbean region. 

Aggie Krasnolucka, FIA Foundation Programmes Director, said: “Saving lives needs political buy-in and leadership, and it has been phenomenal to see how Belize has taken on that challenge. Following on from our regional helmet think tank last summer, it’s incredible how quickly the Belize Department of Transport took knowledge about the deadly impact of counterfeit helmets and changed the safety landscape. This training has been vital in building a better understanding of the importance of helmet standards and how to enforce them across Belize to save lives.”

Gloria Murga, Director of the Belize Automobile Touring Association (BATA) D, said: “The importance of the Training is to save lives! One life lost, is one life too many for our small country.  The Club’s role is to assist the Belize Ministry of Transport to get the proper training on certified helmets and have the knowledge to impart on the officers enforcing the law on identifying fake helmets and ensuring helmets are worn properly. The responsibility of the Government of Belize is to protect lives and ensure that law is being enforced. The action from the Minister and CEO of the Ministry of Transport is commendable in ensuring that the Helmet Standard was legislated in a timely manner.”