CONCERNS about motorcyclists riding without helmets came in sharp focus this week when four riders lost their lives in three separate incidents across the country.

In a Clarendon collision, two motorcyclists were killed in macabre circumstances during a stunt-riding event in the parish.

“They were doing stunt riding in an event that was not approved by the local authorities,” head of Government’s Road Safety Unit (RSU) Kenute Hare told Auto.

Hare said that the riders, who were not wearing helmets, crashed head-on during their performance resulting in the death of both.

“I am imploring the police to enforce the wearing of helmets,” Hare commented.

In another motorcycle death, a rider was killed Sunday along the Washington Boulevard in Kingston, sparking violent confrontation between police and residents of a nearby community.

Police reports said that about 5:50 pm Hulio Grant, 24, of a Molynes Road address, was riding a Honda CBR motorcycle in the Maverly community when he was signalled to stop by a joint police military patrol.

According to the police, Grant disobeyed and sped off and was later seen by the patrol along Washington Boulevard. In an alleged attempt to flee Grant collided into a Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) pick-up and was thrown from the motorcycle. He was not wearing a helmet.

The deaths have contributed to the 21 people who have been killed in 20 fatal traffic collisions since the start of the year.

RSU data, however, shows a year-to-date reduction with 31 people killed at this same time in 2009.