Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterTHE NATIONAL Road Safety Council says there has been a significant reduction in the number of road fatalities and motor vehicle accidents reported across the island over the last year.
Up to yesterday at least 278 persons were killed in 312 motor vehicle accidents since January. For the corresponding period last year, the figures were 379 deaths from 339 fatal accidents.
The council reported yesterday that the number of children perished in motor vehicle accidents last year reduced by more than 50 per cent this year. Of the 25 killed since January, 15 were pedestrians and another five were pedal cyclists.
Paula Fletcher, executive director of the National Road Safety Council, attributes the success to the awareness programmes that they have implemented across the island, especially the new method in which children are being taught to cross the road.
Among the 312 persons killed so far this year, 82 have been categorised as pedestrians, 60 as private motor car drivers, followed by private motor car passengers, 55. Forty-three pedal cyclists were killed. The report also said 29 motorcyclists perished in a number of these accidents.
THREE-VEHICLE COLLISION
An unidentified man believed to be of unsound mind is among the latest casualties. The police said he was hit by a motor vehicle on Knollis main road, Tuesday night about 8:40.
Another man perished also on Wednesday, along the Silver Spring main raid in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland. Police report said Neil Segree, 26, of Ketto district, and 18-year-old Garinsha Brown of Silver Spring, were injured in a three-vehicle collision on the Silver Spring main road.
Reports are that about 7:45 a.m. a police service vehicle a Mitsubishi motor truck was travelling from Shelfield towards Silver Spring. Two Yamaha RX100 motor cycles driven by Brown and Segree were travelling in the same direction. On reaching a section of the road, the drivers of the motorcycles failed to negotiate a corner and collided with the service vehicle.
Both men sustained injuries and were taken to hospital where Segree was pronounced dead and Brown admitted in serious condition.
