HEALTH minister Ruddy Spencer has urged the transport ministry to ensure that road users are more careful because of the negative impact accidents are having on the health system.

“If we had significantly less accidents, all those bed spaces would be available for primary health care,” Spencer said on the monthly call in programme Jamaica House Live hosted this week by Minister of Agriculture Christopher Tufton, in the absence of the prime minister.

Road fatalities, up to Tuesday, stood

at 46, according to National Road Safety Council figures.

However, although road fatalities have actually shown a decrease over the corresponding period last year, authorities have voiced concern about the number of pedestrians being killed.

Pedestrians continue to push up the road death count after a St Thomas man was killed along the Sir Florizel Glasspole Highway, this week.

Police reports say that about 8:00 am. 56-year-old Claris Griffiths was crossing the highway when he was hit by a Honda Civic motor car heading towards Harbour View.

According to the Road Safety Unit in the transport ministry 46 per cent of deaths this year have been pedestrians.

In the meantime Minister of Transport and Works Mike Henry says his ministry is working very closely with the Transport Authority and the police to improve road discipline.

Henry said that strict attention is being paid to the indiscipline of drivers and, as a result, road traffic laws are being revised and a number of initiatives will be introduced to improve driving discipline.