The Heads Up! Regional Think Tank convened in Kingston, Jamaica in June 2025, bringing together policymakers, health professionals, mobility leaders, and community advocates to address one of the region’s most pressing road safety challenges: motorcycle collisions and helmet use.
Motorcyclists account for a disproportionate share of traffic deaths and injuries across Latin America and the Caribbean. Survivors often live with long-term disabilities, creating ripple effects for families, healthcare systems, and national economies. The Think Tank underscored that motorcycle safety is not just a transport issue — it is a matter of public health, development, and social equity.
Over two days of expert panels and open dialogue, participants identified critical gaps in legislation, enforcement, and helmet standards, as well as social and cultural barriers to compliance. Discussions highlighted the urgent need for stronger data systems, culturally relevant public awareness campaigns, and post-crash care support.
From these insights, the Think Tank issued clear, actionable recommendations:
- Enforce helmet laws with a people-centered approach that combines deterrence with education and trust-building.
- Expand access to certified helmets, making them affordable and widely available, particularly for vulnerable riders.
- Establish a regional helmet testing and certification facility to ensure consistent safety standards.
- Invest in training, licensing, and rider education, with programs tailored to the realities of young and at-risk riders.
- Strengthen rehabilitation and social reintegration systems for crash survivors and their families.
The way forward requires collaboration across borders and sectors. By acting together, countries can save lives, reduce the economic and social toll of crashes, and build safer, more resilient roads.