Director of the Island Traffic Authority Kenute Hare is calling on motorcyclists to ensure they wear protective gear when operating a motorcycle.

Hare outlined that the use of proper protective gear has been highly disregarded by many motorcyclists across the island.

Speaking at a recent Motorcycle Outreach and Training Programme in Westmoreland, Hare said too many motorcyclists have been operating motorcycles wearing shorts, sandals and without helmets.

“Don’t say you’re not going far so you don’t need to wear your gears. Persons have died from motorcycle crashes in front of their homes. If you should meet in an accident, the slippers and shorts won’t protect the body from the effects of the ground,” he stated.

Hare added that some motorcyclists have removed headlights and mirrors, a dangerous practise that should be discontinued.

“How do you expect someone to see you when you’re approaching without headlights? And if a vehicle should get out of control behind you, without the mirrors, how will you see? Put on back the mirrors so you can see what’s going on behind you and take the necessary action,” he pleaded.

Motorcyclists are further being urged to use correct headlights and desist from inserting LED lights. Motorcyclists are also being urged to remedy defective tail-lights as soon as possible as the defects can contribute to road accidents For the first quarter of 2022, 31 motorcyclists have died in road crashes, representing 26 per cent of the overall road fatalities recorded for the quarter. 100 per cent of the motorcyclists that have died for the quarter were males.