Motorcyclists in Westmoreland, especially those who operate bike taxis, should soon be better able to protect themselves and their pillion passengers.

This as over 2 thousand helmets were handed over by the Ministry of National Security to the Jamaica National Hosted Group National Helmet Wearing Coalition, yesterday.

The coalition is an initiative aimed at improving road safety by promoting the consistent use of helmets among motorcyclists and pillion riders.

National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang says the donated helmets will boost the coalition’s effort to encourage compliance, significantly.

Dr. Chang says the government intends to make helmets more accessible, which will go a far way toward improving road safety, as well as reducing motorcycle-related fatalities.

He said government is looking at additional ways to assist the National Road Safety Council to get more bikers to wear helmets and other safety gear. 

Last year, 135 motorcyclists and 18 pillion riders were killed in road crashes.