Children often begin riding motorcycles at an early age, sometimes as young as 15 years, long before the legal age of 17 for a learner’s permit, this according to some students in western Jamaica.
This reality highlights the urgency for early education in motorcycle safety,a focus of the ongoing Road Safety School Tour being spearheaded by the JN Foundation under the National Helmet Wearing Coalition (NHWC) project,.
The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the National Road Safety Council and funded by the FIA Foundation.
The tour aims to address the staggering number of road fatalities in Jamaica, particularly in Westmoreland, where motorcycle-related incidents are disproportionately high.
“Reaching young people before they become regular motorcycle users is key,” explained Sydoney Preddie, project manager for Road Safety and Road User Education at the JN Foundation.
“By fostering an early understanding of helmet safety and its life-saving potential, we’re instilling a culture that values road safety. Considering that young men aged 19 to 29 are most affected by motorcycle crashes, starting education early is essential,” she said. TIMELY INTERVENTION
The tour began its western leg at Green Island High School in Hanover on October 30. The NHWC provided students with hands-on education about helmet safety, including the importance of wearing certified helmets and understanding their expiration dates. Free helmets were distributed to students who frequently ride as pillions.
The school tour continued at Little London High School in Westmoreland in November where principal, Garfield James, lauded the initiative for its timely intervention. “This programme is vital, not only for the information it provides, but also for the tangible support, like helmets. The interactive format ensures the students stay engaged and understand the importance of road safety,” he said.
In western Jamaica, motorcycle riding is often seen as a rite of passage, learned informally at a young age, according to a student at Little London High School.
“I started riding at 15. I knew you’re supposed to wear a helmet and have mirrors, but I didn’t,” one student shared.
Auto mechanics teacher, Norris Spence, who also leads the school’s automotive club, pointed out that students often perceive helmets as “uncool”, preferring the image of riding helmet-free. “It’s a battle to shift their mindset,” he said, recounting the tragic loss of a student to a motorcycle crash last summer.
The Road Safety School Tour tackled these challenges with a mix of education and entertainment, including live demonstrations, competitions, and discussions on helmet use. Helmets were again distributed, not only to students, but also to teachers who ride motorcycles.
Representatives from the Island Traffic Authority and the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Road Safety Unit reinforced the message. Sergeant Craig Bonitto of the JCF’s Road Safety Unit emphasised the legal and life-saving implications of helmet-use, while Omar Wright, lead for environment and community development at the JN Foundation, highlighted the broader goal: “This isn’t just about teaching the law, it’s about changing behaviours and saving lives. We want young people to see helmets as essential, not optional.”
The Road Safety School Tour will continue in January 2025 to target schools across the island, aiming to inspire a new generation of advocates who prioritise road safety and recognise the life-saving importance of wearing helmets from the earliest stages of motorcycle use.
