THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday appealed to motorcyclists, who are considered to be in another “vulnerable” category of road users, to use the roadways with greater care and caution.

So far for this year a total of 26 motorcyclists have lost their lives in fatal accidents, compared to 16 for the same period last year. In some instances, the victims were not wearing safety helmets which could have saved their lives, the police reported.

The Motor Cycles (Protective Helmets) Regulations Section 3 (1) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Cap. 51:02 states that:

“The driver of, and every person carried on, a motor cycle on a road shall wear a safety helmet capable of affording protection to the head of the wearer from injury in the event of an accident.”

In keeping with the Regulations, the legal requirement for the driver and any other person carried on the motor cycle to wear a safety helmet does not apply in cases where the engine of the motor cycle is not more that 50 cubic centimetres (50cc).

While there are specific types of safety helmet prescribed to be used while driving a motor cycle, motor cyclists can be observed using safety helmets that are for use by cyclists, which is against the law.

Motor cyclists and pillion riders also flout the law and do not wear the safety helmets which are intended for their own protection and safety. Some could be seen with the helmets on the handles of the motor cycles.

In enforcing the laws in this regard, the police have for this year so far charged a total of 380 motor cyclists for failing to wear safety helmets and these efforts will be intensified.

The GPF expressed its concern about the practice of motor cyclists with children as pillion riders, without safety helmets and their feet dangling dangerously close to the spokes of the rear wheel of the motor cycle.
While being cognisant of difficulty with transportation at times, the police are also expressing concern over the towing of too many persons on a motor cycle by motor cyclists. Under such circumstances control of the vehicle will be difficult and can result in accidents and even death.

During enforcement operations aimed at road safety over the period December 7 to 13, 2014, the Police Traffic Department made a number of cases against motorists and other persons for breaching the traffic laws. These include:

(By Michel Outridge)