Growth & Jobs | Advocates rally for safer roads and helmet use

GENERAL MANAGER of the JN Foundation Claudine Allen is emphasising the urgent need for collective action to address motorcycle-related road fatalities.

She made the poignant statement while addressing motorcyclists and patrons who converged in Mandeville, Manchester, recently following a ‘ride out’ from Ferry, St Catherine, to mark World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims under the global theme, ‘Remember, Support and Act’.

The event was organised by the National Helmet-Wearing Coalition (NHWC), an initiative being implemented by the JN Foundation in collaboration with the National Road Safety Council and funded by the FIA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the world governing body for motorsport. The NHWC teamed up with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, who demonstrated their support towards motorcycle safety through their collaborative efforts to promote helmet-safety education and supported the coalition’s helmet distribution.

Allen highlighted the alarming statistics of motorcycle-related deaths, noting that young Jamaican men aged 19 to 29 are the most affected demographic. “We are losing them at an alarming rate to motorcycle crashes,” she stated, emphasising the ripple effects on families, communities, and the nation’s workforce.

Manchester, historically one of the parishes with high motorcycle fatalities, has seen significant progress in reducing such incidents, but Allen reminded the gathering that “one fatality is one too many.”

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She attributed many road crashes to poor decision-making such as speeding, failing to wear helmets, and neglecting vehicle maintenance. “Road crashes are rarely accidental,” Allen noted. “They result from decisions – conscious or subconscious – that put lives at risk.”

Allen also detailed the work of the National Helmet-Wearing Coalition, stressing the importance of accessible, certified helmets and inclusive training for motorcycle riders. “We have to create an environment that ensures compliance with safety standards, from legislation to infrastructure and education,” she said.

Dr Kevin Blake, commissioner of police, who led the convoy of just over 50 bikers from Ferry, St Catherine, to Manchester at a crash hotspot across from the Mandeville Regional Hospital, noted the grim reality of road traffic fatalities despite some progress.

“While we’ve seen a slight 13 per cent reduction in road deaths compared to last year, the numbers are still alarmingly high, with 320 lives lost so far this year,” he said. Dr Blake emphasised that more than 30 per cent of road fatalities involve motorcycles, with about 90 per cent of those victims not wearing helmets.

Custos of Manchester, Lt Col Garfield Green, echoed the sentiment, urging motorcyclists to prioritise safety. “Every crash is one too many. Helmets save lives, not just for the rider but for families and communities,” he stated.

The event also included the distribution of certified helmets and educational sessions on safe riding practices.

Lt Col Custos Green said that while Manchester recorded lower motorcycle crash rates since the year started, there have been dangerous trends such as drag racing and stunt driving on its major roads, often resulting in crashes. He called for motorcyclists to avoid these high-risk behaviours and adhere to traffic laws.

The gathering also honoured the memory of those who have died in road crashes, offering support to bereaved families. “Pause to remember those who have gone. Support those who are still here. And act to educate and encourage safety so we can bring fatalities down to zero,” Allen encouraged persons.

The National Helmet-Wearing Coalition is a public-private partnership comprising the JN Foundation, which is coordinating the project; the National Road Safety Council; the Government; as well as the police, transportation associations, advocacy groups, academia, parish development committees, and international organisations. The initiative is targeted at raising awareness about motorcycle helmet safety and promoting the use of certified helmets through regulation and behaviour change.