Road crashes and fatalities down

Since the start of the year, there have been fewer fatal road crashes and fatalities compared to the corresponding period in 2020.

According to data from the Road Safety Unit, as of March 16, Jamaica had recorded 87 fatalities in 82 fatal crashes. This represents decreases of 14 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively.

Of the 87 fatalities, 74 were males, with 13 females. Of the fatalities, 28 were motorcyclists, 20 pedestrians, eight pedal cyclists, 10 passengers of private motor vehicles, one passenger of a commercial motor vehicle, one passenger of public passenger motor vehicle, one pillion passenger, one driver of a commercial motor vehicle, and 17 drivers of private motor vehicles.

Vulnerable road users (pedestrian, pedal cyclist, motorcyclist and pillion) account for 66 per cent of the road users killed since the start of the year, while St Catherine accounts for 24 per cent of the overall road users killed.

Fatalities for 2021 are projected to decrease by three per cent.