KINGSTON, Jamaica — At least eleven people were killed in motor vehicle crashes during the week ending Friday, October 11.

This has pushed to 290, the number of road users killed on the nation’s roads since the start of the year. The latest road accident statistics were released on Friday by the Road Safety Unit (RSU) which is located in the Island Traffic Authority. It said the 290 deaths resulted from 249 fatal crashes. Fatalities have decreased by 11 per cent while fatal crashes are down by 18 per cent when compared with 2023.

According to the RSU, fatalities as of the end of September 2024 are projected to decrease by nine per cent when compared with the previous year.

Meanwhile, pedestrians accounted for 19 per cent of the road users killed as of October 11; motorcyclists accounted for 33 per cent; private motor vehicle drivers accounted for 17 per cent; and private motor vehicle passengers accounted for 12 per cent.

Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, pedalcyclists, motorcyclists and pillion riders) accounted for a combined 59 per cent of the road users killed as of October 11. Overall, passengers accounted for 22 per cent of the fatalities during the month under review.

And, the RSU said males and females accounted for 84 per cent and 16 per cent respectively of the road fatalities during October.

In the meantime, Area 1 (Trelawny, St James, Hanover and Westmoreland) accounted for 35 per cent of the road deaths; Area 2 (Portland, St Mary and St Ann) accounted for 15 per cent; Area 3 (St Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon) accounted for 17 per cent; and Area 4 (Kingston Central, Kingston Eastern, Kingston Western, St Andrew Central, and St Andrew South) accounted for 11 per cent.

Area 5, which comprises St Andrew North, St Catherine North, St Catherine South and St Thomas accounted for 22 per cent of the road fatalities as of October 11, 2024.