KINGSTON, Jamaica — Men continue to have the dubious distinction of leading in the number of road fatalities associated with crashes on the nation’s roads.

Statistics from the Road Safety Unit (RSU) revealed that since January, a total of 50 males have died on the island’s roadways, representing 86 per cent of all road users killed.

Director of the RSU, Kenute Hare, in a news release said that the Unit will be coming up with more strategies targeting males with a view to arresting the troubling trend.

In this vein he said he is appealing to all males to re-acquaint themselves with the road code and practise the principles, as this will “go a far way in their preservation as they traverse the nation’s thoroughfares”.

Meanwhile, the RSU is reporting that there has been a decline in the number of people killed in traffic crashes since the start of the year. Statistics from the Unit reveal that fatal crashes and fatalities have decreased by 23 per cent and 33 per cent respectively.

Hare  said that while he is encouraged by the decrease in the number, it is no time for applause as one life lost is one too many.

He is also making a special plea to families to assist in empowering themselves with the requisite safety messages so that they in turn can help relatives and by extension the country to practise proper road safety etiquette. This, he said will assist greatly in achieving the ‘Below 300’ target.

To date, 58 people have died on the roads; 18 were motorcyclists, 18 pedestrians, 12 were drivers of private motor vehicles, five pedal cyclists, two passengers of private motor vehicles, one pillion passenger, and two drivers of commercial vehicles.