Road deaths near 300
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Approximately 130 more people have died in road crashes since early June, when the toll stood at 165.
The death toll is now at 294.
According to data released from the Road Safety Unit today, there have been 242 fatal crashes since January. The unit says that compared with the similar period for 2015, fatal crashes have decreased by ten per cent while the number of deaths has increased by one per cent.
Twenty per cent of those who died were people using the roadways on foot, and 30 per cent were motor vehicle passengers – an increase of 40 per cent when compared to the similar period in 2015.
At the same time the death rate among motorcyclists in collisions remains at an alarming high of 71 in 66 fatal collisions since the start of the year.
Road safety authorities are still forecasting that road deaths will drop by 19 per cent over last year.
Alphea Saunders
