KINGSTON, Jamaica — According to a report from the Ministry of Transport, motorcyclists account for 31 per cent of road users killed in motor vehicle crashes since the start of the year.

As such, the ministry is urging motorcyclists to wear their helmets and other protective devices to protect against major injuries and possible fatalities in the event of a crash. Pillion passengers are also being encouraged to wear helmets, while being transported on the motorcycles.

“Statistics from the Road Safety Unit also reveal that 83 motorcyclists have died in traffic crashes. In 2016, the Unit recorded a total of 74 motorcyclists’ deaths when compared to similar period this year. Westmoreland and St Elizabeth recorded the highest number of motor-cyclists deaths in 2016, with 28 and 11 respectively,” stated the ministry in the report today.

The ministry revealed that, since the start of the year, 269 people have been killed in 247 crashes, in comparison to 317 deaths from 265 crashes for the corresponding period in 2016.

A breakdown of this year’s figures reveal that: 69 were pedestrians, 11 were pedal cyclists, 83 were motorcyclists, 12 pillions, 4 were passengers of public passenger vehicles, 32 were private motor vehicle passengers, 8 were drivers of commercial vehicles, 2 were passengers of commercial motor vehicles and 46 were drivers of private motor vehicles and the remaining 2 was driver of public passenger vehicle.