THE number of people killed in motor vehicle crashes since the start of the year in the north- eastern parishes of St Ann, St Mary, St Thomas and Portland now stands at 45.

Statistics from the Ministry of Transport show that for the period January 1 to August 27, eight people were killed in crashes in Portland, five in St Thomas, eight in St Mary, and 24 in St Ann. For the corresponding period last year, six people were killed in Portland, three in St Thomas, nine in St Mary, and 23 in St Ann.

A breakdown of the fatalities by parish and category of road users indicate that of the eight killed in Portland, one was a pedestrian, two were pedal cyclists, three motor vehicle passengers, and two were private motor vehicle drivers.

For St Mary, one pedal cyclist died, two motorcyclists, three motor vehicle passengers, one public passenger vehicle driver, and one private motor vehicle driver.

Of the five recorded for St Thomas, there were two pedestrians, one motorcyclist and two motor vehicle passengers.

Three pedestrians died in St Ann, nine public passenger vehicle passengers, five private motor vehicle passengers, one commercial motor carrier passenger, four private motor vehicle drivers, and two commercial motor carrier drivers.

A total of 260 people have been killed islandwide in 213 fatal crashes since January 1 to August 27. Statistics from the ministry indicate that the number of fatalities has increased by four per cent when compared with the similar period in 2015. Fatal crashes, however, decreased by eight per cent when compared with the similar period last year.

Males accounted for 82 per cent of the fatalities, while females accounted for 18.

Motorcyclists and pedestrians accounted for 24 per cent and 19 per cent of the fatalities, respectively.

Private motor car drivers and passengers accounted for 15 per cent and 22 per cent of the fatalities, respectively.