Motorcyclists Urged to Exercise Caution on the Roadway

Motorcyclists are being urged to exercise greater caution on the nation’s roads and to ride defensively, particularly when approaching intersections and major roadways.

Speaking in an interview with JIS News, Motorcycle Fatalities Reduction Strategist for the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) District Constable Marlon Fletcher, said bikers should not assume that motorists will see them or yield the right of way.

“The motorcycling community morale is really low right now because… three of the sport biking community in three consecutive months, [have] died as a result of injuries,” he said.

“I want to say to the rest of the motorcyclists that are traversing our streets on a daily basis to ride defensively. Ensure that you look out for cars because cars really don’t look out for you,” he added.

The District Constable explained that motorists are generally conditioned to look for other vehicles, rather than motorcycles, when entering major intersections or roadways.

Mr. Fletcher said the relatively small size and speed of motorcycles can make them more difficult for motorists to detect and judge accurately.

“Motorcycles are very slender things and they move very fast, and you have to judge the speed of the motorcycle before you drive out,” he said.

Against this background, he is advising motorcyclists to be prepared to yield, even when they have the right of way, if doing so can prevent a collision.

“I always tell motorcyclists to ride defensively and ensure that you actually give up your right of way a lot of times to save yourself from a crash,” Mr. Fletcher said.

He pointed out that the consequences of a collision can be far more severe for a motorcyclist than for a person travelling in a motor vehicle.

“When you’re in a car and you have your right of way and you hold your right of way and say, ‘I am not moving, this is my right of way’, and you have a crash, most times both drivers come out and talk some choice words as to who is wrong and who is right,” he said.

“When you’re on a motorcycle, it is very unforgiving. Nine out of 10 times when you are in a crash, you are on your way to the hospital, with life-threatening and serious injuries,” Mr. Fletcher added.