Road deaths to surpass the 300-mark for 12th straight year
KINGSTON, Jamaica— The Road Safety Unit (RSU) is reporting that 298 people have been killed in motor vehicle collisions up to Friday, October 18.
The fatalities have resulted from 255 fatal crashes.
Although the 300 number is expected to be breached for the 12th straight year (260 people were killed in 2012), the RSU is reporting that fatalities have decreased by 11 per cent while fatal crashes are down 17 per cent this year when compared to 2023.
Significantly, the RSU said fatalities as of the end of September 2024 are projected to decrease by nine per cent when compared with last year.
Meanwhile, the Unit is reporting that pedestrians accounted for 18 per cent of the road users killed as of October 18, 2024; motorcyclists accounted for 33 per cent; private motor vehicle drivers accounted for 17 per cent; and private motor vehicle passengers accounted for 12 per cent.
The group of road users considered most vulnerable (pedestrians, pedalcyclists, motorcyclists and pillion riders) accounted for 59 per cent combined of all those killed on the nation’s roads since the start of the year.
Overall, passengers accounted for 22 per cent of the road deaths, with males accounting for 84 per cent and females 16 per cent.