THERE has been a 20 per cent decrease in road fatalities compared to the similar period last year, and a corresponding 15 per cent decrease in fatal crashes, the Road Safety Unit (RSU) at the Ministry of Transport and Works has reported.

Since the start of this year, there have been 36 fatalities resulting from 34 crashes, while for last year there were 45 fatalities resulting from 40 fatal crashes. There were 16 pedestrian fatalities, six motorcyclists, five private motor carriage (PMC) drivers and four PMC Passengers. However, pedestrians continue to prove extremely vulnerable within the traffic environment, accounting for 44 per cent of the fatalities. Education and information officer at the Road Safety Unit, Julian Thompson, is imploring pedestrians to be more alert and vigilant while using the roads. He said that while the Road Safety Unit is promoting defensive driving for motorists, the unit is also promoting defensive walking for pedestrians.

“Because we have been walking for so long, we tend to forget that being a pedestrian is extremely risky as pedestrians are at the mercy of other road users, such as motorists or motorcyclists. While many pedestrian crashes occur because of driver error, many also occur because of the pedestrian’s carelessness.” A defensive pedestrian must always:

Be alert.

Use the crosswalks and pedestrian crossing where available, and must always walk within the painted lines.

Obey the flashing WALK/DON’T WALK pedestrian signals.

Make eye contact with drivers to ensure that they see you.

Look right, then left, then right again before attempting to cross the street.

Be careful not to make sudden changes in direction while crossing.

Wait for vehicles to come to a complete stop before walking as the vehicles may be coming faster than expected.

Over the years, pedestrians have been the group with the most fatalities so the Road Safety Unit pleads with all pedestrians to be defensive walker.

The RSU is also commending those road users who continue to adhere to the rules of the road and exercise safety and caution in all situations, and encourages them to be good role models for other road users.