Conduct of drivers

Every driver of a carriage shall at all times observe the following rules while driving carriage– (a) not allow any unauthorized person to handle his (b) ensure that no person hangs along side of the (c) ensure that horses are operated in temperatures not exceeding 96 degrees Fahrenheit; (d) ensure that his horse do not drop manure on the road and that if it does happen that the manure 198 Belize City Council is collected immediately and disposed of appropriately; (e) not to exceed the seating capacity for which the carriage was licensed; (f) ensure that he operate only along routes during the hours duly approved by the Traffic Department; (g) ensure that the horse or mule pulling the carriage does not exceed a trot (10 mph) (h) protect the health and safety of the horse or mule and that of the general public; (i) ensure that the maximum ratio of HORSE WEIGHT: WEIGHT PULLED never exceeds 1:1.5 ratio; (j) ensure that all harnesses are properly fitted and in good condition with no deficiency that may create a safety hazard; (k) ensure that the horse or mule is properly suited with rubber-coated pads or boots or with open steel barium tip shoes or other such shoes approved by a registered veterinarian; (l) ensure that his horse or mule is not used if he observes that the animal is exhausted, sick, weak, wounded, bleeding, cut below skin level, injured, shows signs of lameness, malnourished or in any other similar condition; (m) ensure that the carriage wheels are adequately lubricated, so as to allow wheels to rotate freely; Belize City Council 199 (n) ensure that carriages are not pulled by stallions or by pregnant mares; (o) ensure that horses wear properly attached and fitted blinders while pulling carriage; (p) ensure that the horse or mule is always attended, and not left to roam freely, to avoid likelihood of harm to the public or to itself; (q) ensure that no horse or mule travels on any metal covering on any street; (r) ensure that all horses and mules are given sufficient amount of water before and after working, and that additional water is available for the animal, if needed; (s) report all accidents involving a carriage immediately to the Police Department; (t) ensure that horse and mule-drawn carriages are not operated in adverse weather conditions; (u) ensure that no horse or mule works longer than four hours within a 24 hours period with a minimum of 2 consecutive hours of rest, it being the duty of the operator to ensure that a water trough and cooling down area is readily available to reduce body temperature of horses and mules between sessions to prevent onset of anhydrous; (v) ensure that he is well-versed in animal care, and attends such courses as may from time to time be conducted by the Belize Tourism Board, Belize Tourism Industry Association, the Tour Guides Association, the Health Department, or the City Council and other such 200 Belize City Council organizations to enhance activity and productivity in the Tourism Industry; (w) follow the guidelines issued by the Belize Humane Society, the Association of Veterinary Surgeons or the Belize Agricultural Health Authority in the handling of horses and mules; (x) ensure that no person provokes, harass, startles, distracts or stones the horse or mule while he is the driver.