PEDESTRIANS, with 29 deaths since January 1, still top traffic fatalities continuing a worrying trend from last year for the island’s traffic managers.

“There is a huge concern in terms of pedestrian fatalities,” National Road Safety Council executive director Paula Fletcher commented yesterday.

Fletcher contended that the traffic infrastructure pertaining to pedestrians was lacking while at the same time charged that indiscipline on the part of both motorists and pedestrians contributed a great deal to the fatalities.

“Jamaica has a far way to go,” she said

“There are a number of issues, some of the roadways have been so constructed that there is no room for sidewalks to be built,” she argued,

“We need to be more friendly in terms of the pedestrian and road infrastructure,” said Fletcher adding however that this situation would not change overnight.

Pedestrians she said also needed to exhibit greater care in properly using the roadway.

“Even if there are pedestrian crossings people will still cross the road at an unsafe spot,” she said.

“We are working against a culture of indiscipline,” Fletcher declared.

Traffic deaths, at March 31, was 70 from 55 fatal crashes, a reduction of 10 deaths over the corresponding period last year.