Kingston Jamaica - April 16, 2010: The significant decline in road fatalities has continued into the second quarter of this year, moving from a 24 % downward trend in the first quarter of 2010, to a 29 % reduction up to mid-April, when compared with the previous year.
From January 1 to April 13, there were 79 fatalities, a significant decline compared to the 111 lives that were lost for the corresponding period last year. Fatal crashes have also trended down, moving from 101 to 74, a reduction of 26.73%. This was also an improvement for March figures, which registered a 24.48% decrease in fatalities.
All fatalities have dropped, except pillion passenger deaths, which increased from one to two for the same period this year.
The largest decline, 75%, was seen in public passenger vehicle (PPV) passenger fatalities as the figure slid from four last year to one for the same period this year. Following on the heels of the PPV decline in fatalities is a 60% decrease in fatalities of commercial motor carrier drivers, dropping from five last year to two for the same period this year, and passengers’ deaths, in this category, have declined from two to zero.
Fatal crashes by pedal cyclists and motorcyclists also experienced considerable reduction since the start of the year. There has been a welcomed drop of 42.86% in pedal cyclist deaths moving from seven to four, while motorcyclist fatalities declined from 19 in the corresponding period last year to 11 this year, a decrease of 42.11%.
Figures for private motorcar passengers also showed a downturn from 17 deaths last year to 10 this year and recorded a 41.18% decrease. Another noticeable improvement is the 22.22% decrease in fatalities for children under 14 years old, from nine last year to seven for the same period this year.
Inspector Gary McKenzie of the Police Traffic Headquarters has attributed some of the declines to effective leadership of the Police Traffic Division, as well as the increased and effective police presence on the roads. McKenzie said the law has been enforced in relevant cases and it has caused persons to realize that the police are serious about road safety. “Persons have been cooperating and we are seeing the results,” he added. “We’re seeing things coming together now, the public is much more aware that fatal road crashes are a serious national problem and should be avoided.”
McKenzie said the police observed that in urban areas and rural townships, there was heavy congestion and persons have a tendency to be very impatient. However, with successful policing there have been some positive changes. “We have been able to reduce the time that people spend in traffic by ensuring that areas that have been congested especially by public passenger vehicle drivers are cleared. The police has been busy easing congestion and getting people where they want to go,” he revealed.
When the NRSC started operations in 1993 there were over 400 deaths per year. However, that has changed with ongoing road safety campaigns in the media as well as other interventions, including legislative amendments of the Road Traffic Act and greater collaboration among the stakeholders. The overall statistics reveal a downward trend in fatalities from 371 in 2006 to 350 in 2007, 343 in 2008 and 341 last year, and the NRSC hopes to have another decrease by year-end.
While the number of pedestrian fatalities remains the same, the figure is a cause for concern as 34 lives were lost on the roads for the same period last year and this year. Expressing concern over pedestrian fatalities, Vice Chairman/Convenor of the NRSC, is imploring motorists to be more caring towards pedestrians and adhere to road traffic regulations.
From January 1 to April 13, there were 79 fatalities, a significant decline compared to the 111 lives that were lost for the corresponding period last year. Fatal crashes have also trended down, moving from 101 to 74, a reduction of 26.73%. This was also an improvement for March figures, which registered a 24.48% decrease in fatalities.
All fatalities have dropped, except pillion passenger deaths, which increased from one to two for the same period this year.
The largest decline, 75%, was seen in public passenger vehicle (PPV) passenger fatalities as the figure slid from four last year to one for the same period this year. Following on the heels of the PPV decline in fatalities is a 60% decrease in fatalities of commercial motor carrier drivers, dropping from five last year to two for the same period this year, and passengers’ deaths, in this category, have declined from two to zero.
Fatal crashes by pedal cyclists and motorcyclists also experienced considerable reduction since the start of the year. There has been a welcomed drop of 42.86% in pedal cyclist deaths moving from seven to four, while motorcyclist fatalities declined from 19 in the corresponding period last year to 11 this year, a decrease of 42.11%.
Figures for private motorcar passengers also showed a downturn from 17 deaths last year to 10 this year and recorded a 41.18% decrease. Another noticeable improvement is the 22.22% decrease in fatalities for children under 14 years old, from nine last year to seven for the same period this year.
Inspector Gary McKenzie of the Police Traffic Headquarters has attributed some of the declines to effective leadership of the Police Traffic Division, as well as the increased and effective police presence on the roads. McKenzie said the law has been enforced in relevant cases and it has caused persons to realize that the police are serious about road safety. “Persons have been cooperating and we are seeing the results,” he added. “We’re seeing things coming together now, the public is much more aware that fatal road crashes are a serious national problem and should be avoided.”
McKenzie said the police observed that in urban areas and rural townships, there was heavy congestion and persons have a tendency to be very impatient. However, with successful policing there have been some positive changes. “We have been able to reduce the time that people spend in traffic by ensuring that areas that have been congested especially by public passenger vehicle drivers are cleared. The police has been busy easing congestion and getting people where they want to go,” he revealed.
When the NRSC started operations in 1993 there were over 400 deaths per year. However, that has changed with ongoing road safety campaigns in the media as well as other interventions, including legislative amendments of the Road Traffic Act and greater collaboration among the stakeholders. The overall statistics reveal a downward trend in fatalities from 371 in 2006 to 350 in 2007, 343 in 2008 and 341 last year, and the NRSC hopes to have another decrease by year-end.
While the number of pedestrian fatalities remains the same, the figure is a cause for concern as 34 lives were lost on the roads for the same period last year and this year. Expressing concern over pedestrian fatalities, Vice Chairman/Convenor of the NRSC, is imploring motorists to be more caring towards pedestrians and adhere to road traffic regulations.
“Carelessness on the road is not worth it in terms of the fines you’re going to pay and even worse if you die, what happens to your family? If you are injured that can cause prolonged suffering and pain, as well as loss of income,” cautioned Jones. He is also urging the public to pay keen attention to the road safety messages being highlighted in the media, as part of the NRSC public education programmes.
The NRSC Vice Chairman/Convenor is reiterating the need for all road users to give more serious consideration to the way they use the road, as a positive focused approach to using the roadway, will save lives.
Inspector McKenzie has echoed similar sentiments. He added that ongoing public education programmes and advertisements in the media should be taken seriously, and pleaded for passengers to take personal responsibility for their safety. “The essential message is that if you’re driving on public transportation and the driver is driving carelessly you come off. Just say, ‘one stop driver, and get off’ because you’re protecting your own life. You never can tell, it may help the driver to drive more carefully,” declared McKenzie.
He warns that the police will be getting even tougher on motorists, when the new traffic ticketing system comes into effect, as they will have access to an interconnected data base which links the police with the Inland Revenue Department and the Courts. This will provide information, when the police stop motorists, on whether they have unpaid tickets or warrants for their arrest for failing to appear in Court.
The NRSC Vice Chairman/Convenor is reiterating the need for all road users to give more serious consideration to the way they use the road, as a positive focused approach to using the roadway, will save lives.
Inspector McKenzie has echoed similar sentiments. He added that ongoing public education programmes and advertisements in the media should be taken seriously, and pleaded for passengers to take personal responsibility for their safety. “The essential message is that if you’re driving on public transportation and the driver is driving carelessly you come off. Just say, ‘one stop driver, and get off’ because you’re protecting your own life. You never can tell, it may help the driver to drive more carefully,” declared McKenzie.
He warns that the police will be getting even tougher on motorists, when the new traffic ticketing system comes into effect, as they will have access to an interconnected data base which links the police with the Inland Revenue Department and the Courts. This will provide information, when the police stop motorists, on whether they have unpaid tickets or warrants for their arrest for failing to appear in Court.