‘The helmet is the best way to go’

Near-death experience highlights importance of helmet safety for veteran motorcyclist

A near-death experience in a motorcycle crash underscored the importance of helmet wearing for Corporal Selvin Smith some eight years ago.

Corporal Smith shared his experience to mark World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims, which will be observed on Sunday, November 17. The day is dedicated to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives or have been injured in road traffic crashes.

The incident, in which he narrowly avoided severe injuries - thanks to his helmet - took place close to the 100 Man Police Station in Portmore, St Catherine, in 2016.

“At the end of the day, the helmet is the very best way to go,” Corporal Smith commended the headgear, urging motorcyclists, especially young men, to prioritise their safety over ‘style’.

Corporal Smith, who has been riding motorcycles for more than 12 years, outlined that wearing a helmet is an integral part of his routine, in addition to wearing gloves.

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“Once I’m going to go on the motorcycle, that becomes a part of the outfit. My helmet and my gloves are things I almost can’t ride without. They mean so much to me,” he explained.

IMMENSE RISKS

However, that was not his attitude during his early days as a rider. The corporal admitted that he briefly avoided wearing a helmet.

“It was about the flair of being seen on my motorcycle,” he said, noting that younger riders often associate riding without a helmet with masculinity and ego. However, his perspective changed quickly when he realised the immense risks involved.

Corporal Smith stressed that the benefits of helmet use far outweigh any desire for recognition or to follow a trend. “First and foremost, there is the protection of life,” he said.

Even at low speeds, a fall can lead to life-threatening head injuries. He highlighted that certified helmets not only protect riders from impact, but also protect the body from coming into contact with debris, wind, and rain, which can obscure vision and increase the chances of a crash.

“Even a drop of rain feels like being struck by a screwdriver when riding,” he said, recalling his own experiences on the road.

As a corporal in the Jamaica Constabulary Force with 23 years of service, Corporal Smith currently trains and educates fellow officers. For the past 17 years, he has taught police procedures, law, and physical training at the National Police College of Jamaica, where he currently serves as a motorcycle instructor. He trains both beginner riders and quick responders, the latter being a specialised team that handles advanced tactical operations. It involves, among other things, using motorcycles in high-risk situations.

Corporal Smith is dedicated to sharing his message and hopes to change the mindset of younger riders and has committed to join the National Helmet Wearing Coalition to reinforce the message of helmet-wearing. Through his role as an instructor, he continues to advocate for helmet use, emphasising that it is the most effective way to protect the lives of motorcyclists.

“We are way more fragile than we think we are,” he underscored.

Sydoney Preddie, project manager for road safety and road-users at the JN Foundation, affirmed the corporal’s point of view, pointing out that motorcycle crashes are likely to result in head injuries, as the head might come into direct contact with hard objects during impact.

“Head injuries can cause serious, long-lasting effects that may not be fully reversible,” she said. “The only effective approach to dealing with head injury is prevention, not letting the injury occur in the first place. It’s all a consequence of an unprotected skull that cannot withstand the shock. The protective helmet is designed to minimise the risk of all kinds of head injuries,” she said.

She noted that the National Helmet Wearing Coalition is preparing to roll out specific activities shortly, targeting the negative attitudes and behaviours towards helmet wearing among motorcyclists in Jamaica. The activities are being administered by the JN Foundation in collaboration with the National Road Safety Council.

“Addressing the negative attitudes and behaviours are going to be critical to curbing the current spate of injuries and fatalities we are experiencing nationally due to motorcycle crashes,” she said, pointing out that the activities to be implemented are backed by pre-existing and baseline research conducted by the Coalition. “The consequences of road crashes impact various aspects of our social and economic development, therefore, reducing them to minimal levels is a priority.”