ROAD fatalities have decreased by 26 per cent for the month of January, compared to the same period last year.

According to the Road Safety Unit (RSU) in the transport ministry, 26 persons have been killed in January compared to 35 last year.

Of this total, 13 were pedestrians, five motorcyclists, two pedal cyclists, two private motor carriage (PMC) drivers, two PMC passengers, one pillion and one public passenger vehicle (PPV) passenger.

Simultaneously, there has been a 17 per cent reduction in the number of fatal crashes. In January, there were 25 recorded fatal crashes, compared to 30 for last year.

The RSU is however expressing concern regarding the number of children killed since January 1.

"It is unacceptable that in January, 19 per cent of the persons killed were children," on RSU information officer commented. "It just goes to show the scant regard that is placed on the safety of children, even when they are in the care of adults," he added.

Of a total of 25 fatalities, five were children, four of them being pedestrians.

Against that background the RSU said that it is imploring road users to pay more attention to the safety and care of our children as they attempt to manoeuvre their way through traffic.

The RSU cautioned motorists to ensure that children are safely secured in proper child safety devices when travelling in motor vehicles and that children are wearing safety helmets when riding bicycles in the traffic environment.

The traffic watchdog unit nonetheless commended road users who continued to adhere to rules and exercised safety and caution in all situations.

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