J’cans urged to respect motorcycle cops

Motorists are being urged to stop seeing traffic cops on motorcycles as ticket-hungry enforcers and instead recognise them as lifesaving first responders, as the police ramp up efforts to curb deadly crashes.

Senior Superintendent Dahlia Garrick, head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Corporate Communications Network, said the push comes amid worrying crash statistics and a continued spike in motorcycle-related deaths.

"We're here for your safety. A safe country is a set of safe communities joined together by safe routes. So the safety of every visitor, every member of the public is important to us. It's one of our priorities, keeping Jamaica safe. So we want the public to join us in this campaign, in creating safer roads, for everyone," Garrick said.

Her appeal comes as police data up to April 10 show excessive speeding remains the leading cause of road fatalities, accounting for 37 deaths in 2025 and already 17 in 2026. Failing to keep to the proper lane resulted in 15 deaths in 2025 and eight so far this year, while improper overtaking accounted for 10 deaths in 2025 and four in 2026. Pedestrians walking or standing in the road contributed to 12 deaths last year and two this year. The 'other' category has also surged, moving from 26 in 2025 to 40 in 2026, bringing total fatalities recorded so far this year to 71.

Garrick said the figures highlight the urgent need for behavioural change, especially among motorcyclists, who continue to make up a significant portion of crash victims.

"We have completed sessions of motorcycle training and we still have more to do because motorcyclists still are the highest among road casualties," she said.

According to Garrick, the police will be stepping up public education and partnerships to tackle the issue head-on.

"We will be doing a public awareness campaign, public education, even collaborating with JN Foundation to spread awareness because we have to see the behavioural changes. People have to take their own safety into their hands and help to maintain," she said.

"Motorcyclists need to adhere to good riding and practices. We need to have persons wearing the proper protective gear. We need them to understand that, not because you're on a motorcycle, it gives you a free ticket just to go. You have to observe the rules of the road."