KINGSTON, Jamaica— Of the eight people who perished in motor vehicle crashes on the nation’s roads over the seven-day period ending Friday, September 23, seven were motorcyclists and all were men.

The other victim was a female pedestrian.

The latest victims have pushed to 337, the number of people who have been killed in 291 fatal crashes since the start of the year. That number includes 96 motorcyclists who are part of the group of road users deemed most vulnerable. Despite the frightening statistics, motorcyclists’ deaths have decreased by 24 per cent when compared with the corresponding period in 2021 according to the Road Safety Unit (RSU).

Apart from the 96 motorcyclists, those who have been killed on the nation’s roads this year include:

-Sixty-four pedestrians

-Forty-nine private motor vehicle passengers

-Twelve passengers of public passenger vehicles

· Sixty-nine private motor vehicle drivers

· Thirteen pedal cyclists

· Seventeen children

Meanwhile, the RSU is reporting that motorcyclists make up 28 per cent of the road users killed since the start of the year. This group is followed by passengers overall at 23 per cent and private motor vehicle drivers at 20 per cent.

Pedestrians make up 19 per cent of all road users killed this year while private motor vehicle passengers account for 15 per cent. The group classified as most vulnerable and made up of motorcyclists, pedestrians, pedalcyclists and pillions account for 55 per cent of all road deaths in 2021.

The overall 337 fatalities since the start of the year have resulted from 291 fatal crashes with males accounting for 85 per cent and females 15 per cent respectively.