THE Road Safety Unit at the Ministry of Transport and Works says it is encouraged by the decline in the number of road accident fatalities, particularly pedestrian deaths that it said have decreased by nearly 30 per cent this year.

There have been 245 fatalities from 215 accidents, up to October 11, with pedestrians accounting for 66 of the dead – the highest category. The number of pedestrians killed on the roads has, however, dropped from the 91 for the same period in 2003, when 290 road deaths were recorded.

“The statistics reveal an encouraging trend, as pedestrian fatalities for the same period in 2003 were 14 per cent less than that of 2002,” the Road safety Unit said in a statement.

The unit noted that pedestrian fatalities have consistently represented 25 to 30 per cent of all motor vehicle fatalities, often doubling the fatality rates of other categories of road users.

According to the unit, pedestrians are at greater risk when compared to other road users because they do not wear any form of protective gears.

“Unprotected by the metal casing of a motor vehicle or the helmet of a motorcyclist, they absorb the full impact of accidents,” the unit said. “The pedestrian needs to be especially careful when navigating our harsh traffic environment.”

In the meantime, the Road Safety Unit has urged pedestrians to follow simple guidelines for road usage, while encouraging motorists to be wary of pedestrians.

Private motor car passengers as well as drivers of private motor vehicles tied for the second highest number of fatalities – 47 each, up to October 11.

Pedal cyclists accounted for the third highest number of deaths on the road – 34 – an increase of two over last year.

The other categories of road deaths for the period under review are:

. Motor cyclists: 18, down by 11

. Pillion riders: eight, up by five

. PPV passengers: nine, dropping by nine

. CMC passengers: five, down by three

. PPV drivers: nine, an increase of one

. CMC drivers: two, decreasing by six.