KINGSTON, Jamaica — With the Independence holiday fast approaching, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) is reminding motorists to be extra cautious on the roadways, as there has been an increase in road fatalities since the start of the year.

Fatal collisions increased by two per cent between January 1 and July 26, while road deaths increased by four per cent compared to the same period last year, the JCF shared.

Several of the collisions were caused by excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking and pedestrian misjudgement.

The most deadly crashes occurred in St James, with 20 collisions and 22 deaths, followed by Clarendon with 19 crashes and 22 deaths. Westmoreland rounded out the top three with 18 crashes and 19 deaths.

Private motorcars and commercial motorcycles were the vehicles most involved in crashes, while 50 of the 192 crashes were single-vehicle crashes, 42 were pedestrian-impact collisions, and 41 were head-on collisions.

Motorists are being asked to be vigilant, obey all traffic signs and signals and look out for the vulnerable while on the road.