KINGSTON, Jamaica — Claudine Allen, general manager of the JN Foundation, is urging government to move swiftly to enforce Jamaica’s new motorcycle helmet standard, and strengthen inspections at the nation’s ports to prevent substandard and counterfeit helmets from entering the country.

Speaking at a National Road Safety Council press conference held at the Office of the Police Commissioner recently, Allen said stronger enforcement of helmet standards is essential if Jamaica is to reverse the growing number of motorcycle-related deaths, the JN Foundation said in a release.

Although the Road Traffic Act and Regulation, as well as the Jamaican helmet standard, all require motorcycle riders and pillion passengers to wear helmets, Allen argued that legislation alone cannot save lives.