THE transport ministry’s Road Safety Unit (RSU) is reporting that the country has achieved the lowest first-quarter fatalities in 10 years.

For the quarter ending March 31 there were 73 fatalities, a 26 per cent decrease compared to the first quarter of last year, an RSU report said.

At the same time, the quarter has also recorded the lowest number of fatal crashes in six years.

According to the RSU, at the end of March fatal crashes stood at 68 compared to 88 last year, a 23 per cent decline.

The first quarter 2010 also saw a record low in fatalities for several categories of road users, the report added.

In the private motor carriage (PMC) passenger category, the lowest number in four years was recorded with 10 fatalities, compared to 14 last year.

Additionally, PMC drivers had the lowest fatalities in six years with 12 deaths compared to a high of 19 last year, a 37 per cent decline.

The RSU said that reductions were also witnessed in other groups where motorcycle fatalities were down by 38 per cent while pedal cyclists dropped 43 per cent.

Child fatalities also saw a welcome decline recording its lowest in 10 years at six deaths compared to seven in the first quarter last year.

However, despite the widespread decline, pedestrian deaths recorded an increase this year over the corresponding period 2009.

There was a three per cent increase in pedestrian fatalities for the quarter, which saw 31 deaths compared to 30 for the same period last year.

“This is an area with which we have been grappling over the years,” acting director of the RSU, Julian Thompson commented. “Traditionally pedestrians have always accounted for the highest number of fatalities and we are determined to bring it under control,” he added.