KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Road Safety Unit is urging motorists, as well as, other road users to look out for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users in the road environment.

Statistics from the unit revealed that vulnerable road users — pedestrians, pedal cyclists, motorcyclists and pillion passengers — account for 50 per cent of road users killed to date.

A total of 70 persons have been killed in 59 fatal crashes since January of this year.

The casualties consist of 16 pedestrians, five pedal cyclists, 11 motorcyclists, three pillion passengers, one public passenger vehicle passenger, 15 private motor car passengers, two commercial motor car passengers, two public passenger vehicle driver, 14 private motor car drivers’ and one commercial motor car driver.

Director of the Road Safety Unit, Kenute Hare, is cautioning that safety in the road environment should not only be the responsibility of drivers/ motorists but that pedestrians and other vulnerable road users should also be equally concerned and cautious.

“We recognise that many persons mistakenly place the responsibility of safety in the traffic space, on persons who operate motor vehicles. This should not be. Pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, such as the elderly and children, should operate in such a way that motorists are able to see them easily as they go about on the roads.”

The unit is also urging motorists/ drivers to look out for cyclists and pedestrians who may be obscured by other vehicles while they are on the roads.