Bikers warned - Motorcyclists on cops’ radar as road deaths near 450

Assistant Commissioner of Police Gary McKenzie has sounded a warning to motorcyclists who he says continue to breach the Road Traffic Act.

McKenzie, who heads the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), said that as the Yuletide season approaches, his team will be visible in the major thoroughfares, ensuring public safety for pedestrians and motorists.

"Bikers, we are making some special plans to deal with them because for one, where the motorcycles are not abiding by the road rules, meaning that they are not licensed and insured, we have to be very serious about it," the senior cop told THE STAR.

"We realise that the allowance of these motorcycles, especially when they are driven by persons who do not have a driver's licence, that the safest thing to do is to remove them from the streets," he added.

MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES

The move to clamp down on motorcyclists come as both the police and the pubic health system struggle to deal with the increasing number of motor vehicle crashes that have resulted in deaths or serious injuries. As of Monday, 444 persons have been killed due to traffic crashes since the start of the year. A staggering 34 per cent of the deaths represent motorcycle fatalities.

McKenzie signalled that in addition to going after motorcyclists who are endangering themselves and others due to the reckless manner in which they drive motorcycles, the lawmen will be targeting the loud bikers as well.

"We also have a number of motorcycles that have mufflers that have decibels above the limit allowed by law, so the police will be working with the Island Traffic Authority to ensure that we execute as best as possible to have a safe and enjoyable Christmas," he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Lucien Jones, vice-chairman of the National Road Safety Council, is urging citizens to exercise great caution on the nation's roads during the Yuletide season. He is appealing to the Government to enact additional laws to prevent further carnage in the future. He indicated that the goal to have less than 300 road fatalities has been a difficult one in recent years, as the number of drivers and motorcyclists has grown, resulting in greater number of deaths.

This latest crash statistics do not bode well with the council's 'Save 300 Lives' campaign, which was launched in 2008 to reduce road fatalities. In fact, fatalities have constantly exceeded 300 since then, except in 2012 when 260 persons were killed in crashes. Last year, 432 persons died as a result of crashes, and projections are that this year's tally will be more than 450.

AN APPEAL FOR SAFETY

Jones argued that the Safe Systems Approach would be effective to reduce road carnage as well as implementing a practical transport network.

"We recently participated, and the prime minister spoke, at the launch of the second decade of Road Safety International by the United Nations, whose goal is to reduce by 2030 the number of crashes worldwide by 50 per cent. Because Jamaica is in support of this, we are looking to reduce our numbers by 50 per cent also. That is the international context that we are operating at also, and the prime minister last year accepted the recommendation by the WHO [World Health Organization], that the Safe Systems Approach (safe speeds, safe roads, safe road users, safe vehicles, and an efficient post-crash system) is good," Jones said.

For this Yuletide season, he is appealing to motorcyclists, who account for 42 per cent of road fatalities, to wear helmets. He advised against drinking and driving.

"About 30 per cent of persons worldwide have died because they have consumed alcohol and [proceeded to] driving. So, if we can get a hand on that, it will be a big difference," Jones told THE STAR.