Motorcycle helmet safety in focus during election season

Road safety experts are warning of escalating risks for motorcyclists, as election campaign travel often increases the likelihood of road crashes.

According to data from the Island Traffic Authority (ITA), 256 people have died on Jamaica's roadways this year, compared to 245 during the corresponding period in 2024, a 4.5 percent increase. Of this total, 28 per cent of victims were involved in motorcycle crashes, confirming that motorcyclists remain among the most vulnerable road users. Young men between the ages of 20 and 39 accounted for nearly 39 per cent of all road fatalities.

"There is a concern, but an even greater concern is the number of private motor car passengers who are dying. Yet we continue to focus on motorcyclists because that category of road users constitutes the greatest number of people who are dying on our roads. And, therefore, it's always a challenge for us," said Dr Lucien Jones, vice chairman of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) and chairman of the National Helmet Wearing Coalition (NHWC).

Motorcycle-related deaths continue to weigh heavily on Jamaica's crash statistics. In the first six months of 2025, more than 60 motorcyclists were killed, up slightly from 56 during the corresponding period in 2024. The danger spiked sharply in the summer months, with data from the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch showing that 67 people died in July and August alone, a staggering 55 per cent increase compared to 43 deaths in the same months of 2024.

The NHWC, implemented by the JN Foundation in collaboration with the NRSC and financed by the FIA Foundation, continues to advocate for certified helmet use, backed by data showing their life-saving impact. A certified helmet, properly worn, can reduce the risk of death by up to six times and severe head injuries by more than 70 per cent. Globally, helmets cut risks to head injury by 69 per cent and death risk by 42 per cent. Yet, many motorcycle drivers and their passengers still go unprotected, often relying on cheap, substandard helmets that offer false security.

Jones warns that the consequences extend beyond individuals and families:

"The World Health Organization data shows that a country can lose between three per cent and five per cent of its gross domestic product due to the cost of care for road crash victims, especially from motorcycle crashes."

In response, the NHWC has been ramping up efforts to educate road users, specifically motorcycle users on the importance of certified helmets. This includes signing a two-year memorandum of understanding with the Jamaica Constabulary Force, JN Foundation, Global Road Safety Partnership, and FIA Foundation to strengthen helmet enforcement and deliver public education rooted in empathy and community engagement.

However, the challenge remains pressing, particularly during election season when travel and campaign activities intensify.

"At this point in time, we would like to remind politicians that they have a responsibility to their followers to ensure that when organising meetings, people travel safely to and from events. We don't want to see anyone hanging out of vehicles, riding motorcycles without helmets, or ignoring speed limits. Safety must be part of the campaign," he said.