Dramatic Increase In Traffic Fatalities

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The National Road Safety Council (NRSC) has reported a dramatic increase in road fatalities for the period January to October this year compared to the same period last year. Speaking at the Jamaica Observer Monday morning, Executive Director of the NRSC, Paula Fletcher said that so far in 2013, 230 fatalities have occurred in traffic crashes against 198 people over the entire 2012 and 237 in 2011. Fletcher said that for the first quarter, January to March this year, 64 people died in road crashes, compared to 61 last year. April to June had 76 deaths, compared to 64 for the same period in 2012 and 86 for July to September, against 65 last year, over the same period. NRSC data reveal that 68 pedestrians died in crashes since the start of the year, as well as 38 motorcyclists and 18 pedal cyclists. Six public passenger vehicle (PPV) drivers have died in crashes and 34 private motorcar drivers. Two commercial motor carriers (CMC) drivers, seven pillion passengers, 41 private motor car passengers, one commercial motor car passenger and 15 PPV passengers have also been killed in crashes.