Fatal accidents increase despite police vigilance

The traffic police have expressed concern that despite their best efforts including an almost 24-hour presence on the road, traffic accidents continue at an alarming pace.

Although there were five fewer fatal accidents up to last Friday, when compared to the corresponding period last year, there were eight more fatalities.

"The driving out there is atrocious," said Corporal Hubert Dennis of the Elletson Road-based Police Traffic Department.

He explained that motorists will exercise care on the roads as long as they know the police are out there but resort to poor driving habits as soon as the police are not visible.

The traffic cop said said he was in a better position to assess the poor driving habits of Jamaicans when he is in his private vehicle, especially on weekends.

Across the island

Up to May 26, 113 fatal accidents had been recorded with 137 deaths. This compares to 108 fatal accidents for the same period in 1999, and 129 deaths. The accidents are spread right across the island, including the so-called black spot areas.

Pedestrians continue to make up the bulk of road fatalities with 39 of them killed so far this year. Of that number, 16 were children.

With 21 of them killed since the start of the year, pedal cyclists are second on the list and Corporal Dennis expressed the view that poor riding habits and their failure to obey the rules of the road contributed to their demise.

He noted the practice of pedal cyclists to swerve in and out of traffic and to ride on the wrong side of the road.

"Up to now I am unable to say how I didn't hit one of them who came around the corner on me on the wrong side of the road," he told the Auto Feature.

Private motor car drivers and passengers are joint third on the list with 19 fatalities each among the two categories.

Motor cyclists killed to date number 15; passengers of public passenger vehicles 12; passengers of vehicles used for commercial purposes five; four drivers of commercial vehicles; one driver of a public passenger vehicle; and one pillion rider.

Despite the carnage, the police are satisfied that a significant number of motorists are using their seat-belts.

"I would say that more than 90 per cent of motorists are using their seat-belts," said Corporal Dennis. He said most motor cyclists seemed to be wearing helmets and encouraged those not doing wearing them to start doing so.

On the police efforts to stem the carnage and stamp out poor driving practices Corporal Dennis said "it is a relentless campaign that will not stop until we get the desired message across."

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