KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Road Safety Unit of the Ministry of Transport is reporting that nine road users have died on the nation’s road since the start of this year.

Of these nine road users, six were pedestrians and the other three were motorcyclists. This is a reduction when compared to the same period in 2016, when a total of 15 road users were killed due to road traffic crashes.

Director of the Unit, Kenute Hare is cautioning that safety on the road should not only be the responsibility of drivers/motorists but that pedestrians should also be similarly concerned.

“We recognise that many persons mistakenly place all the responsibility of safety in the traffic space on persons who operate motor vehicles; this is not to be. Pedestrians and other vulnerable road users such as the elderly and children should operate in such a way so that motorists are able to see them easily as they go about on the roads. The Unit is also encouraging motorists/drivers to look out for cyclists and pedestrians who may be obscured by other vehicles while they are on the roads.”