The Island Traffic Authority (ITA) is reporting a 11 per cent decrease in road fatalities and a 16 per cent fall in fatal crashes year-to-date, up to November 6, when compared with the same period last year.

In its latest statistics, the ITA reported that there have been 270 fatal crashes since the start of the year claiming 313 lives.

Motorcyclists accounted for the highest number of deaths or 33 per cent of the overall total, followed by pedestrians and private motor vehicle drivers representing 19 per cent and 18 per cent of road fatalities, respectively.

The highest number of road fatalities so far in 2024 have been recorded in St Catherine, which accounted for 17 per cent of deaths, followed by Westmoreland, at 16 per cent; and St Andrew and St Ann at 12 and 11 per cent of deaths respectively. According to the ITA, those four parishes cumulatively account for more than half of the motor vehicle- related deaths in the country.

As the country approaches the busy Christmas season, Director General of Road Traffic at the ITA, Colonel Daniel Pryce says Jamaicans need to take responsibility for the safety of themselves and for others while using the roadways.

“Road Safety is a shared responsibility. We must ensure we look out for each other on the roadway, understand the Road Code, and practise defensive driving and put measures in place to ensure you get to your destinations safely. By promoting responsible road use and holding ourselves and others accountable, we can create safer roads for ourselves, our loved ones, and future generations,” he said.

Speeding and failing to keep to the correct side of the road have been the top causes of fatal crashes so far this year, according to the ITA.

In 2023 there were 425 residents killed in motor vehicle crashes, a 13 per cent decline from 2022 which remains one of the deadliest years in history with 488 people killed on the nation’s roads.