Road fatalities up over 2012

Sheldon Williams, Gleaner Writer

The total number of traffic fatalities from January to August 5 is above last year's figure over the corresponding period, data released by the National Road Safety Council has shown.

Fatalities stood at 166, compared to 156 for the corresponding period in 2012 and 190 in 2011.

There has been an attendant increase in the number of crashes. There were 150 for the period this year, compared to 134 last year and 152 in 2011.

Pedestrians and children continue to be areas of concern. Fifty-three pedestrians died from traffic crashes up to August 5, compared to 43 over the period last year and 69 in 2011. There were 16 child fatalities (0-18 years old) up to August 5, eightof them pedestrians.

Cyclists

Twelve pedal cyclists lost their lives from January to August 5, 2013, compared with seven last year and 20 in 2011. Five pillion passengers died, compared to two last year and six the previous year.

One of the few areas in which there has been a decline in traffic fatalities this year is motorcyclists - 22 died up to August 5, compared with 28 in 2012 and 18 the previous year. There was also a fall in the number of private motor vehicle drivers who have been killed, as 26 died in the period the data covers, compared with 33 last year and 29 in 2011. Additionally, no commercial motor vehicle drivers died up to August 5, 2013. However, two died last year and one in 2011. Three public passenger vehicle drivers perished over the period of analysis this year, compared to five last year and four the previous year.

However, 35 private motor car passengers died on the road to August 5, compared to 28 last year and 30 the previous year. Also nine public passenger vehicle passengers have died since this year compared with five last year and 11 the previous year.