KINGSTON, Jamaica— Nine more people perished in motor vehicle crashes during the one-week period July 9-15, pushing the total number of road fatalities since the start of the year to 253 according to the Road Safety UNIT (RSU).

There was one female among the latest fatalities as well as two passengers of private motor cars, two motorcyclists and two pedestrians.

Of the 253 fatalities which have resulted from 225 fatal crashes to date, 87 per cent were male and 13 per cent female.

Fatal crashes have decreased by two per cent while fatalities decreased by one per cent when compared with similar period in 2021 the RSU said.

Pedestrians have so far accounted for 21 per cent of road users killed since the start of the year while motorcyclists account for 26 per cent.

Drivers of private motor vehicles account for 24 per cent of the road users killed as at July 15, while passengers of private motor vehicles account for 13 per cent of victims.

The category of road users considered most vulnerable – (pedestrians, pedalcyclists, motorcyclists and pillions) account for 55 per cent of the road users killed up to Friday, July 15.