KINGSTON, Jamaica – Eight people were killed in five fatal crashes during the week ending Friday, February 23, according to the Road Safety Unit (RSU). This has pushed to 52, the number of people killed in motor vehicle crashes since the start of the year.

In its weekly crash report released on Friday, the RSU said the latest fatalities include four passengers of private motor cars, one pedalcyclist, a motorcyclist and two drivers of private motor cars.

An 87-year-old female, a private motor car passenger, is the only female among the latest victims of motor vehicle crashes, they also include the four young men who perished in a horrific crash in Trelawny on February 18.

Meanwhile, the RSU is reporting that the 52 deaths this year resulted from 44 fatal crashes. The unit said fatal crashes have decreased by 15 per cent while fatalities have decreased by nine per cent when compared with a similar period in 2023.

The RSU is projecting that fatalities for 2024 will decrease by two per cent when compared with 2023.

Meanwhile, it is reported that pedestrians currently account for 17 per cent of the road users killed as of February 23; motorcyclists account for 33 per cent; drivers of private motor vehicles account for 21 per cent; and passengers of private motor vehicles account for 15 per cent.

The group of road users classified as most vulnerable (pedestrians, pedal cyclists, motorcyclists and pillion riders) account for 56 per cent of the road users killed as of February 23.

Males currently account for 81 per cent and females 19 per cent of the road deaths so far this year.