Road deaths climb to 252 people
Published:Friday | September 14, 2018 | 12:00 AM
Two hundred and fifty-two persons have been killed in 220 fatal crashes since the start of this year, according to the latest Ministry of Transport and Mining Traffic Crash Update.
But while fatal crashes have decreased by three per cent, road deaths have increased by an equal three per cent when compared with the similar period in 2017.
Fatalities for 2018 are projected to record an overall increase of three per cent when compared with 2017, the data showed.
Pedestrians account for 21 per cent of road users killed since the start of the year. Private motor vehicle drivers accounted for 18 per cent of road users killed since January 1 this year.
The data showed that private motor vehicle passengers accounted for 15 per cent of road users killed this year, while motorcyclists accounted for 24 per cent of road deaths since January.
Vulnerable road users (pedestrians, pedal cyclists, motorcyclists, and pillion rider) accounted for 57 per cent of road users killed this year. Passengers accounted for 25 per cent of road users killed since the start of the year.
According to the data, 87 per cent of those killed in road crashes are males, while females account for 13 per cent.
The parishes of Trelawny, St James, Hanover, and Westmoreland combined account for 30 per cent of fatalities, with St Ann, St Mary, and Portland a further 16 per cent.
St Andrew North, St Catherine North, St Catherine South, and St Thomas account for 22 per cent of overall road fatalities.