KINGSTON, Jamaica — Nineteen people have died in 19 fatal crashes since the start of 2017, according to the latest traffic report by the Road Safety Unit (RSU) in the Ministry of Transport and Mining.

This represents a 27 per cent decrease when compared to the same period in 2016.

The RSU noted excessive speeding, drivers failing to keep to the left and pedestrian error, as the major causes for the deaths so far.

According to the report, motorcyclists account for 37 per cent of the road users killed since the start of the year, though such fatalities are projected to decrease by 17 per cent when compared with last year’s total.

Director of the RSU, Kenute Hare urged road users to take road safety more seriously.

He said that drivers and pedestrians alike must adopt positive road habits as they traverse the traffic environment. 

“Road fatalities are not just statistics, these deaths cause a great deal of suffering for the people who have lost a loved one or who are left with a permanent injury. The wanton disregard for the rules is crippling the country,” said Hare.

The director noted that the RSU will be intensifying its road safety education programme in schools and communities with a view to promoting proper road etiquette.