Increased road accidents worry western cops

Despite the efforts to get motorists to act more responsibly, the traffic department of the Area One Police says the first quarter of 2019 (January to March) has churned out more road accidents and road fatalities in the four western parishes over the comparative period in 2018.

Based on statistics provided by the police, 34 persons have died in 29 road accidents across St James, Hanover, Westmoreland, and Trelawny, in comparison to the 19 accidents and 22 fatalities, which were recorded last year.

"This is a time of the year when motorists must be extra careful on the roadways," said Sergeant Andy Birch, the sub-officer in Charge of the Area One Accident Reconstruction Unit, who has been on a relentless campaign to educate errant motorists in the hope of driving down the accident rate.

"This is the first quarter of the year and already we are seeing a major increase in road fatalities and traffic accidents," said Birch. "We are particularly concerned about Westmoreland, which is being plagued by motorcycle accidents. We have doubled last year's total over the corresponding period."

OBEY THE RULES

According to Birch, the police remain resolute in their efforts to get motorists to obey the rules of the road, as their failure to do so is the main contributor to the spate of accidents.

"We are saying to motorists, especially motorcycle riders, be extra cautious when travelling on the roadway. Please be vigilant and always try to leave for your destinations at an early time so that you don't have to speed and cause these road tragedies," said Birch.

Birch stressed the need for motorists to not only obey the road rules but to also wear protective gear such as seat belts and helmets.

Trelawny is seeing the largest increase of all the western parishes. The parish recorded 11 fatalities from eight accidents, which is a major increase over the three fatalities in two accidents over the comparative period last year.

Westmoreland is also seeing an increase as at the end of March, the parish had 12 deaths from 11 road accidents, which is more than a 100 per cent increase over the comparative period last year when they had five deaths in five accidents.

Interestingly, St James and Hanover are both showing encouraging reductions in road fatalities. This year, St James had seven fatalities in six accidents while last year it had eight deaths in six accidents.

In Hanover, four accidents and four fatalities this year, are lower than last year's six deaths in six accidents.