KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Road Safety Unit, which is an arm of the Ministry of Transport, has renewed its call for motorists to desist from speeding on the roads as road fatalities continue to rise.

A report from the unit today, disclosed that 120 people have been killed in road crashes since the start of the year. Pedestrians, motorcyclists, passengers and drivers of private motor vehicles have recorded the highest number of fatalities to date.A breakdown of the figures reveal that 33 were pedestrians, six were pedal cyclists, 34 were motorcyclists, six pillion passengers, 12 private motor vehicle passengers, three drivers of commercial vehicles, one passenger of a commercial motor vehicle and 25 were drivers of private motor vehicles.It is against this background that the unit is pleading with motorists to keep left while driving; not to overtake around corners and to drive within the posted speed limits.Additionally, the unit reiterated its call for motorists to wear seatbelts, (both drivers and passengers); helmets for motorcyclists and pillion passengers, and pedestrians to use the road with caution. Pedestrians are encouraged to use pedestrian crossings or other safe places, walk facing the oncoming traffic and to always wear bright and light, colour clothing when it is dark.The call came in accordance with the UN’s Global Road Safety Week which resulted from the need for intervention at various levels, national and international, to stem the tide of road crashes that have been causing a great strain on countries, especially developing ones.