Police officials are urging motorcyclists in Saint Lucia to exercise greater responsibility on the roads, as concerns over fatalities and unsafe riding practices continue to mount amid a decline in overall traffic accidents in recent statistics.
According to figures from the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force, between January and September 2025, Saint Lucia recorded ten fatal crashes, the same number as the year before. Serious collisions dropped from 241 in 2024 to 189 in 2025, while minor collisions fell from 1 876 to 1 591. Officials note that eight men and two women lost their lives, with pedestrians accounting for half of the total fatalities. These are general car crash statistics as no data could be sourced for motorcyclists.
The police have also responded with tougher enforcement. Traffic tickets issued in the Northern and Central divisions more than doubled this year, rising from 4 639 in 2024 to 12 790 in 2025. Authorities continue to urge riders to slow down, avoid alcohol, and obey traffic signals and markings.
Officials are urging motorcyclists in Saint Lucia to exercise greater responsibility on the roads, as concerns over fatalities and unsafe riding practices continue to mount amid the decline in overall traffic accidents.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Charlotte Thomas, attached to the Department of Road Safety and Traffic Investigation, stated that motorcyclists must comply with licensing and safety requirements under the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act. “You do need to be endorsed by the Ministry of Infrastructure to be able to ride a motorcycle,” she explained. Riders are required to pass both oral and physical examinations before receiving their licence.
Equally critical, Thomas said, is compliance with protective gear regulations. “You must not drive or ride on a motorcycle unless you’re wearing a helmet or protective gear.” Failure to comply can result in a $500 ticket and, in more serious cases, fines of up to $1 000 or imprisonment.
She also noted that police have the authority to impound unregistered or uninsured motorcycles until owners meet their obligations.
Thomas stressed that the impact of accidents goes beyond the individual. “The extent of injuries does not only affect the cyclist, it can go as far as the economy because at the end of the day, there is a cost to everything.” Hospital care, rehabilitation, and family financial burdens all add to the ripple effect of unsafe riding, she added.
Motorcyclists themselves also recognise both the benefits and dangers of riding. A 30-year-old anonymous rider from Bonsejour, described to St. Lucia Times his choice to use a motorcycle over a car. “On a Sunday it’s the most efficient way to get to work….” He also admitted the main advantage is “getting through the traffic”.
When asked about safety, the rider noted that “riding can be safe if the other road users look out for motorcyclists. It can be very dangerous due to inexperienced drivers and riders and carelessness.” While acknowledging that “helmet and protective gears can save lives,” he admitted, “I don’t think motorcyclists take it seriously.”
Experts agree that motorcycles offer agility, fuel savings, and efficiency compared to cars, but the trade-off is higher risk. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that motorcyclists accounted for 15 per cent of all motor vehicle fatalities in 2023, despite being a smaller share of total road users. The National Safety Council noted that fatalities have risen 38 per cent in the past decade, with over 6 300 deaths recorded in 2023.
Assistant Superintendent Thomas added that “as a cyclist, you have a responsibility not only to yourself, but also to the motoring public,” reminding riders that while motorcycles may provide speed and freedom, “we also have a duty to self, to our community and to our country.”
