WESTERN parishes are reporting significant decline in road fatalities, over last year, greater than the national figure, which stood at a heartening 31 per cent on May 18.

According to data from the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), St James showed the highest decline of 64 per cent moving from 11 deaths last year, to four over the period.

Hanover, Westmoreland and Trelawny followed with declines of 53 per cent, 50 per cent and 33 per cent respectively. In Hanover, fatalities dropped from six to three, Westmoreland saw a decrease from 17 to 14, while Trelawny had four deaths, down from six over the same period last year.

Head of the Police Traffic Analysis Unit, Sergeant Beverly Hill-Wright contended that the marked reduction in traffic crashes in western Jamaica and other parishes are due mainly to the increased police presence on the roads and an ongoing road safety programme by the NRSC.

“There could be a further reduction in fatalities if motorists practised good driving habits while using the roadway,” Hill-Wright commented.

She cited some common causes of traffic accidents such as motorists following too closely behind vehicles, speeding, disobeying traffic lights and road signs, turning without due care, and improper overtaking.

One hundred and twelve people have been killed in 106 fatal collisions between January 1 and May 31 this year.

At the same time last year the death toll stood at 161 from 139 fatal crashes.