Police Vow To Deal With Motorcyclists Who Break Law

In an interview with The Bahama Journal, Mr. Greenslade acknowledged that the police are quite aware of this problem and will deal with the matter proactively to prevent any fatalities.

"I see exactly what you [the public] see in terms of young men racing up and down…I dare say even young women racing up and down on these big motorcycles with no helmets, prancing about and creating problems for the wider motoring public. We are well aware of the nuisance that is created by them and the recklessness that pertains," he said.

The senior assistant commissioner said he will begin talks with head of the Traffic Division, Chief Superintendent Larry Ferguson, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Marvin Dames to address this issue.

When asked if this is really a problem that demands the attention of the police, he responded, "Absolutely."

"If you refer to statistics, a lot of relatively young people have actually died as a result of riding the big motorcycles and sustaining head injuries subsequent to accidents," Mr. Greenslade said.

In November 2004, motorcyclist, 18-year-old Cedrico Cadet of Meeting Street had a female passenger on his motorbike when he became the country’s 42nd traffic fatality that year.

The police reported that Mr. Cadet was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. However, his female passenger had worn a helmet.

In late December 2002, motorcyclist Deris Rahming was riding a red and white motorbike traveling west on Palmetto Drive when he collided with a 1998 gold Ford car and was killed.

The police reported that Rahming was not wearing any protective motorcycling gear, including a helmet.

In 2005, after the death of motorcyclist 34-year-old Derek Williams of Rock Crusher Road in an accident, then head of the Road Traffic Department Superintendent Burkie Wright explained that helmets are very expensive and this is one of the reasons why so many motorcyclists ride around without the proper headgear.

He said that the $75 penalty imposed on individuals riding bikes without proper headgear was too low and needed to be raised.

Williams’ death came hours after then Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia "Mother" Pratt announced in the House of Assembly that the 35 percent duty on head gear would be eliminated to encourage the use of helmets by motorbike and scooter riders.

Assistant Commissioner Greenslade said, "This is a problem that we are certainly aware of and realize that we must pay some attention to it."