KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Road Safety (RSU) in the Transport Ministry is renewing its call for motorists to drive safely on the nation’s roads in light of 10 people losing their lives in crashes over the Easter weekend.

RSU statistics give the breakdown as two deaths on Holy Thursday, three on Good Friday, four on Easter Sunday and one on Easter Monday.

In total, as of Tuesday, April 18, 101 people have died from injuries sustained in fatal crashes since the start of the year.

RSU Director, Kenute Hare, says speeding was a factor in all the crashes.

According to Hare, since the start April 18 people have been killed. He argued that many of the deaths could have been prevented had the victims been wearing seatbelts.

He said that the internal organs of the body will collide with each at the same speed at which the vehicle is travelling if there is a crash.

 “Good people make bad choices on the road every day, and not wearing a seat belt can prove tragic,” Hare said.

 A properly worn seat belt increases the odds of surviving a crash by up to 50 per cent and  seat belts must be worn every trip and every time regardless of the length of the journey,” he added

Road traffic deaths during the Easter Holiday weekend were the lowest in 2012, when the country recorded three deaths. Eight people died over the Easter weekend last year (2016).