Tyrone Reid, Staff Reporter
MALES ACCOUNTED for approximately 90 per cent of traffic deaths over the past five years, the Police Traffic Management Department reported on Wednesday.
Most of the accidents have involved male drivers between ages 21 and 35 years.
These disclosures were made during the launch of the Road Safety Campaign 2005, staged by the Jamaica Gasolene Retailers' Association, in tandem with the Road Safety Unit of the Ministry of Transport and Works and the Police Traffic Headquarters at Barnes Petcom Service Station in Braeton, Portmore.
DECLINE IN ROAD DEATHS
Over the past two years, there has been a decline in road deaths, with pedestrian fatalities among the one to 15 years age group plummeting by an unprecedented 50 per cent.
Paula Fletcher, executive director of the National Road Safety Council, revealed that the unparalleled 50 per cent reduction in pedestrian fatalities among the children meant that 15 precious lives were spared in 2004 when compared to 2003.
Additionally, she pointed out that eight fewer adults were killed in 2004, in comparison to 2003.
"We have not seen a positive impact like this on pedestrian safety in decades," raved Mrs. Fletcher.
STILL NOT SATISFIED
However, the police and the National Road Safety Council are still not satisfied.
"I am far from satisfied that our road users are conscious of the devastation and dislocation which they are causing to families by their dangerous and anti-social driving practices," said Deputy Commissioner of Police Tilford Johnson, who was deputising for Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas.
As a result, the National Road Safety Council, under this year's theme 'With Awesome Power Comes Greater Responsibility', will be focusing on male drivers.
"This is a hard message to get across to some males who see the motor car or motorbike as a representation of their manhood and their ego. We all know that testosterone and gas are not a good mix," she said.
Minister of Transport and Works, Robert Pickersgill, who was deputising on behalf of Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, said traffic accidents were depleting the state's medical budget. He urged motorists to exercise greater care on the nation's roads as data showed that more than 80 per cent of accidents were due to human error or faulty driver behaviour.
Fatalities
| Year | Accidents | Fatalities |
| 2005 (up to Wed.) | 123 | 136 |
| 2004 | 136 | 156 |
Eleven more pedestrians have died since the start of the year in comparison to last year.
Nine of this number are children.
| Year | Fatalities | No. of men |
| 2003 | 391 | 316 |
| 2004 | 360 | 287 |
