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

In its weekly crash update the RSU said that vulnerable road users including pedestrians, pedal cyclists, motorcyclists and pillion passenger account for 52 per cent of those killed to date.

Director of the RSU, Kenute Hare, cautioned 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 people 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,” said Hare.

Motorists/ drivers have also been urged to look out for cyclists and pedestrians who may be obscured by other vehicles while they are on the roads.

The RSU said that a total of 134 people have been killed in 115 fatal crashes since January of this year with the casualties consisting 29 pedestrians, 10 pedal cyclists, 27 motorcyclists, three pillion passengers, four public passenger vehicle passengers, 26 private motor car passengers, four commercial motor car passengers, two public passenger vehicle driver, 27 private motor car drivers and two commercial motor car drivers.