The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is targeting high-risk motorcycle users, particularly joyriders operating motorcycles under 600 cubic centimetres (cc), as part of efforts to reduce fatalities on the nation’s roads.

The police have identified distinct categories of motorcyclists and is tailoring its road-safety interventions for those considered most vulnerable to fatal crashes, according to JCF Motorcycle Fatalities Reduction Strategist, District Constable (DC) Marlon Fletcher. He says the first category comprises what he described as the “weekend warriors”, motorcyclists who own sport bikes, commute with them during the week and ride recreationally on weekends.

According to DC Fletcher, “those guys are not our problem. They always wear helmets, they wear jackets, they wear boots, they wear gloves, and they’re always fitted with the proper safety gear.” The second category consists of daily commuters, including delivery workers, security personnel and other persons who use motorcycles primarily to get to and from work.

For Fletcher, this group is also demonstrating greater compliance with road-safety requirements, arguing, “We are seeing greater compliance where helmets are concerned. We are seeing greater compliance where the motorcycle has to be licensed and insured in order for them to get that delivery job with the company.”

He identified the third category as “joyriders”, who ride motorcycles primarily for recreation. The Motorcycle Fatalities Reduction Strategist says the JCF is taking a targeted approach to the problem, rather than treating all motorcycle users as one group. 

This targeted approach forms part of the JCF’s wider efforts to address motorcycle-related crashes through focused enforcement, public education and interventions for those most vulnerable.

DC Fletcher notes that motorcycles below 600cc have been identified as a key area of focus, noting that the data point to this group as contributing significantly to fatalities. “We already have the target market, which is the motorcycles that are under 600cc. They are the ones that are driving up the road of fatalities,” He tells JIS-News.

Fletcher adds that the focus is particularly on joyriders, while noting that professional motorcyclists who depend on their bikes for employment have additional incentives to maintain them and operate them safely. He points out that these riders are generally required by their employers to wear helmets and operate motorcycles that are properly licensed and insured.

“We need to shift the focus to the west of the island, which is ground zero for the fatalities, and we also need to target a specific demography of motorcyclists,” Fletcher explains in conclusion.