OPERATORS of motorcycles are continuing to rev up the island road fatalities. Since January 1, 15 persons have died due to crashes. And of that amount 10 were bikers.

“This is a serious battle we have on our hands,” said Kenute Hare, director of the Road Safety Unit in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing.

“This appears to be a wanton disregard of the Road Traffic Act. One hundred per cent of those motorcycle riders are from the western end of the island.”

Of the 10: five are from Westmoreland; four from St Elizabeth; and one from St James.

Hare said the police have been prosecuting, but other avenues have to be explored.

“Education is another avenue… Once a motor bike is in the household, I’d like to see the families insist that at least one helmet is procurred,” said Hare.

“Motorcycle riders need to understand the motorcycle is the most dangerous vehicle to operate on the road network. It has no crumple zone, no airbag, no seatbelt…driver and passenger will absorb the full impact of a crash.”

According to the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), last year saw a huge spike in motorcycle-related fatalities. Of the total 380 deaths, 111 were bikers. In 2014, the figure stood at 65, and the year before was 56.

Hare, who will be awarded the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Americas Award for road safety in Panama tomorrow, said bikers remain a top priority.

Senior Superintendent of Police Calvin Allen, head of the Traffic Division, said his team is ramping up its efforts.

“We’ll continue our enforcement…yesterday (Wednesday) we seized 20 motorcycles and arrested two persons for breach of the Road Traffic Act in Westmoreland,” he said.

“We’ll also be working with key stakeholders with a view to reducing this worrisome trend.”

SSP Allen said with the proposed amendment to the Road Traffic Act on the horizon, its implementation will also assist in reducing road fatalities.

In a previous interview, Dr Lucien Jones — vice-chair of the NRSC highlighted the negative impact of road fatalities on Jamaica’s economy.

“A country can lose five per cent of its GDP to road traffic deaths… And persons 16-24 account for majority of traffic deaths… it’s more than HIV.”

In 2014, a total of 331 road deaths occurred compared 305 the year before.