JCF Places Special Focus on Motorcycle Joyriders

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is sharpening its focus on 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.

Motorcycle Fatalities Reduction Strategist for the JCF, District Constable Marlon Fletcher, told JIS News that the Force has identified distinct categories of motorcyclists and is tailoring its road-safety interventions for those considered most vulnerable to fatal crashes.

Mr. Fletcher explained that 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.

“Those guys are not our problem. They always wear helmet, they wear jackets, they wear boots, they wear gloves, and they’re always fitted with the proper safety gear,” he said.

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.

According to Mr. Fletcher, this group is also demonstrating greater compliance with road-safety requirements.

“We are seeing greater compliance where helmet is 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 said.

He identified the third category as “joyriders”, who ride motorcycles primarily for recreation.

“Nothing is wrong with that because I love motorcycles myself and I would just get up and go for a ride. What the problem with that class of motorcyclists is, that they don’t wear helmets, they don’t wear a shirt, they’re always in slippers and they’re just driving around on the motorcycles having fun,” Mr. Fletcher said.

He said the JCF is, therefore, taking a targeted approach to the problem, rather than treating all motorcycle users as one group. “Now, having said that, we have to divide and conquer,” he said.

Mr. Fletcher said 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 said.

He added 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.

“The professional motorcyclists that use their bikes for work, they want to ensure that bike is fit and ready for work the next morning. So, they are more careful,” District Constable Fletcher said.

He pointed out that these riders are generally required by their employers to wear helmets and operate motorcycles that are properly licensed and insured.

“So, 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,” Mr. Fletcher said.

The 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.