KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Island Traffic Authority (ITA) is projecting that road fatalities will fall below 400 this year, the first time since 2018.

The ITA is projecting that up to 388 road users could be killed on the nation’s streets this year. According to ITA statistics, 389 road users were killed in 2018, 440 in 2019; 433 in 2020; 487 in 2021; 488 in 2022 and 425 in 2023.

The total number of fatalities recorded up to Friday, December 13 was 346 from 298 fatal crashes and there are now just over two weeks left in the year.

Meanwhile, the ITA is reporting that fatalities have decreased by 15 per cent while fatal crashes are down 18 per cent this year when compared with last year. It says fatalities as at the end of November 2024 are projected to decrease by 11 per cent when compared with 2023.

And the ITA is also reporting that motorcyclists continue to account for the majority of road users killed this year with 33 per cent as of December 13; pedestrians account for 18 per cent; private motor vehicle drivers also account for 18 per cent; while private motor vehicle passengers account for 13 per cent.

Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, pedalcyclists, motorcyclists and pillions) combined account for 58 per cent of all road fatalities as at December 13. Overall, passengers account for 23 per cent of the road deaths.

In the meantime, males and females account 84 per cent and 16 per cent respectively of the road fatalities as of December 13, 2024.