KINGSTON, Jamaica – The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) is urging heightened vigilance by individuals traversing Jamaica’s roadways, especially during the Christmas season.

Executive Director, Paula Fletcher, says this is imperative, particularly for motorcyclists who account for a significant number of the road fatalities occurring.

Data from the NRSC shows that 114 motorcyclists have lost their lives on the nation’s roads since the start of 2024.

Fletcher emphasises that motorcyclists need to adhere to the law governing the operation of any motor vehicle on the roads.

She further maintains that bikers must ensure that their motorcycles are registered, licensed, insured and issued a certificate of fitness.

“These must always be on you so that, if the police stop you, you can show that you’re in full compliance with the law,” the executive director states.

Regarding personal safety when traversing the roads,  Fletcher urges motorcyclists to, “wear your helmet.”

“If a motorcycle hits into another vehicle… there’s usually an upward trajectory and then the downward gravity brings [the driver] down, and the head [will get] damaged… so, there’s [the possibility of] brain injury. That can be highly preventable, [by] over 40 per cent, [by the] protection you get when you wear a helmet. So we’re really appealing to motorcyclists to wear their helmets,” she adds.

Fletcher informs that helmets should be of European, United States, British or Japanese standard, and have a sticker indicating such.

“There is a habit of wearing these sorts of German looking helmets that offer no protection at all. They are also not covered under what is prescribed as a standard under the law. So if you have this German-type, usually black metal looking helmets… get the proper helmet,” she emphasises.

The executive director also urges motorcyclists to ensure that helmet chin straps are properly fastened.

“It is an offence if you just have the helmet on your head, but the chin strap is not fastened. So ensure that you fasten your chin strap for [that reason as well as for] safety purposes,” she adds.

Fletcher also highlights the need for motorcyclists to wear attire that can prevent damage to skin and limbs, in the event of a spill or a crash.

“This business of motorcyclists wearing shorts and slippers is not really the best way to be on a fast-moving vehicle where your body is exposed. Wearing your helmet, a sensible shirt or jacket if you can find it, a jeans jacket and, of course, pants, is good enough protection and, of course, shoes. You must not have your toes exposed that… can easily get damaged when there’s a crash,” the executive director states.

Motorcyclists are also reminded that they must abide by the rules governing the roads.

“There are speed limits on various roadways. Everything that applies to [other] motor vehicles, also applies to motorcycles,” Fletcher points out.

She also encourages pedestrians to use designated areas demarcated for crossing the roadways.

The executive director notes that while some communities may not have a pedestrian crossing, individuals must determine the safest place along a stretch of road to cross.

“This must not be on a corner. When you look to the right or to the left, what you want is a clear view of traffic that could be coming. So [where] there’s no pedestrian crossing, determine a safe place to cross,” Fletcher further states.

Individuals should also walk facing oncoming traffic, which will provide them with a clear view of the vehicular flow and enable them to take evasive action, where necessary, should a unit get out of control.

Meanwhile, Fletcher encourages pedestrians to wear brightly coloured clothing while on the roads, especially at night, rather than dark or black clothing.

“You blend in with the night [when you wear dark clothing], so you won’t be visible to motorists; so wear clothing that makes you visible,” she says.

Pedestrians are also encouraged to refrain from using their mobile phones while walking on the roads.

“This habit of being distracted by using the phone is not a good thing. If you are walking and are on a call and consumed with what the other person is saying to you on the phone, watching video games, listening to music and your ears are plugged, and whatever else we do on our phones, you’re totally cut off from any sound in the traffic environment that could alert you to danger, thereby enabling you to take evasive action,” the executive director maintains.

Pedestrians are urged to watch for motor vehicles turning along roadways, and obey traffic signals.

Fletcher emphasised that young children should not be sent out alone in “complex” traffic environments which, she points out, can change quickly.

“So we encourage parents and guardians to ensure that their children are accompanied to school, church, activities after school, wherever it is that they’re going, by somebody mature enough, like an older child or an adult, so that they can be under supervision while they’re travelling on the roads,” the executive director further states.

She adds that, “if you feel a child is old enough to travel on the road [alone]… you should map out a safe route either to school or church.”

Meanwhile, Fletcher notes that the Christmas season is traditionally celebrated with multiple events being staged, including parties.

“What we advise is, if you’re going to drink, don’t drive. Get a designated driver, a person who either will have a one drink and know their limit, or doesn’t drink alcohol at all. This arrangement has to be made beforehand, so that you don’t have alcohol coming into play while you get back in your car to return home,” she underscores.

–              JIS

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