KINGSTON, Jamaica— Just seven road fatalities have been recorded so far in the month of November, a 68 per cent decrease when compared to the 22 deaths that were recorded during the same period in 2023.

The information is contained in the weekly crash update statistics of the Island Traffic Authority (ITA), released on Friday.

Overall, 320 people have perished in motor vehicle collisions this year, the result of 277 fatal collisions.

The ITA said fatalities have decreased by 13 per cent while fatal crashes are down by 17 per cent when compared to the prior year. It said fatalities, as of the end of October 2024, are projected to decrease by nine per cent when compared with 2023.

As has become the trend over the last seven years, motorcyclists continue to make up the majority of road users killed; they accounted for 33 per cent of the road users killed as of November 15, 2024.

Pedestrians accounted for 18 per cent of the fatalities, private motor vehicle drivers also accounted for 18 per cent, while private motor vehicle passengers account for 12 per cent.

Combined, the group classified as the most vulnerable road users (pedestrians, pedalcyclists, motorcyclists and pillion riders) accounted for 59 per cent of the road users killed as of November 15 this year.

Overall, passengers accounted for 22 per cent of the fatalities.

Meanwhile, males and females accounted for 85 per cent and 15 per cent respectively of those killed during the period under review.