THE significant decline in road fatalities has continued into the second quarter of this year, however, the Transport Ministry’s Road Safety Unit (RSU) is reminding that the figures are still unacceptably high.

From January 1 to April 21, there were 85 traffic fatalities, a marked decline compared to the 120 lives lost during the corresponding period last year.

The number of fatal crashes have also trended down, moving from 108 in the same period 2009 to 80 this year.

But while acknowleding that the figures show a positive trend, the RSU cautioned that there was no reason for celebration.

“The statistics are somewhat encouraging but too many Jamaicans are still dying on the roads,” said RSU information officer Da’Reon Savanell.

“All these people had loved ones and one cannot quantify the pain and distress felt in losing a loved one,” he commented.

According to the RSU, fatalities have declined in all categories of road users except pillion riders which moved from one to two over the period. The largest decline was recorded in public passenger vehicle (PPV) passenger fatalities.

Following on the heels of the PPV decline in fatalities is a 60 per cent decrease in fatalities of commercial motor carrier drivers — dropping from five last year to two for the same period this year — and passengers’ deaths, in this category, have declined from two to zero.

Fatal crashes by pedal cyclists and motorcyclists also experienced considerable reduction since the start of the year. There has been a welcomed drop of 43 per cent in pedal cyclist deaths moving from seven to four, while motorcyclist fatalities declined from 19 in the corresponding period last year to 11 this year.

Figures for private motorcar passengers also showed a downturn from 17 deaths last year to 10 this year. Another noticeable improvement is the 22 per cent decrease in fatalities for children under 14 years old, from nine last year to seven for the same period this year.

In the meantime, Inspector Gary McKenzie of the Police Traffic Headquarters has attributed some of the declines to effective leadership of the Police Traffic Division, as well as the increased and effective police presence on the roads.

McKenzie said the law has been enforced in relevant cases and it has caused persons to realise that the police are serious about road safety. “Persons have been co-operating and we are seeing the results,” he noted. “We’re seeing things coming together now, the public is much more aware that fatal road crashes are a serious national problem and should be avoided,” Mckenzie added.

According to McKenzie, the police observed that in urban areas and rural townships, there was heavy congestion and persons had a tendency to be very impatient. However, with successful policing there has been positive changes.

“We have been able to reduce the time that people spend in traffic by ensuring that areas that have been congested especially by public passenger vehicle drivers are cleared. The police has been busy easing congestion and getting people where they want to go,” said McKenzie.