KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Road Safety Unit (RSU) in the Ministry of Transport is reporting a downward trend in road fatalities and fatal crashes so far this year.

As of Monday, 224 people have been killed from a total of 198 fatal crashes so far this year, the unit said.

It further outlined that fatal crashes and road fatalities have decreased by seven per cent and three per cent respectively when compared with similar period in 2017, though
fatalities for 2018 are projected to increase by three per cent when also compared with 2017.

So far, St Catherine accounted for 19 per cent of road users killed, the largest figure in any one parish since the start of the year.

Data from the unit also revealed that of the current number of fatalities, 52 were motorcyclists, 12 pedal cyclists, 10 pillion riders, 44 were drivers of private motor vehicles, and 33 were passengers of private motor vehicle, seven PPV passengers, six commercial motor car passengers, four PPV drivers, five commercial motor car drivers, 50 pedestrians and one that falls into the category of other road users.

RSU said 13 per cent of road users killed since the start of the year are 60 and over.

The unit is appealing to road users to wear their seatbelts, helmets, and other protective devices to save lives, as well as, to pay close attention to road signs and markings.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/Road_Safety_Unit_reports_downward_trend_in_road_fatalities