KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Island Traffic Authority (ITA) is reporting a significant 40 per cent decline in road fatalities and a 44 per cent drop in fatal accidents for the month of July 2024, compared to July 2023.

According to the latest statistics published this week by the Road Safety Unit (RSU), 21 people were killed in 19 fatal crashes in July this year, compared to 35 fatalities from 34 fatal collisions during the same period last year.

The RSU noted that pedestrians accounted for 14 per cent of the fatalities in July, private motor vehicle drivers for 29 per cent, private motor vehicle passengers for 24 per cent, and motorcyclists for 29 per cent.

Notably, several groups of road users recorded no fatalities during July, including pillion riders, pedal cyclists, and passengers of commercial motor vehicles. Both pillion riders and pedal cyclists are considered among the most vulnerable road users, alongside pedestrians and motorcyclists.