Eight people were killed in six fatal crashes during the one-week period April 23-29 according to the latest statistics released on Friday by the Road Safety Unit (RSU).

The latest fatalities have pushed the number of people killed in motor vehicle crashes since the start of the year to 143. This is from a total of 125 fatal crashes.

Those killed in the past week include three passengers of private motor cars, two private motor car drives, two motorcyclists and a driver of a public passenger vehicle.

Meanwhile, the RSU is reporting that fatal crashes and fatalities have decreased by three per cent and one per cent respectively when compared with the similar period in 2021.

The Unit said that while the projection at the start of the year was for an eight per cent decrease in road fatalities this year, when compared to 2021, the projection, based on the first quarter is for a six per cent decrease instead.

So far, pedestrians account for 22 per cent of the road users killed as at April 29. Motorcyclists account for 26 per cent; while drivers of private motor vehicles account for 23 per cent.

The category of road users deemed most vulnerable and which is made up of pedestrians, pedalcyclists, motorcyclists and pillion riders, account for 56 per cent of the road users killed as at April 29.

Males account for 84 per cent while females account for 16 per cent of the road fatalities recorded so far this year.