Pedestrian, bikers among 5 killed in Easter Weekend crashes

Five people died on Jamaica’s roadways over the five-day Easter holiday weekend, raising concerns for the main road safety advocacy group even as road fatalities continue to trend downwards.

“Inattention/diverted attention” was listed as the possible cause of three of the four crashes that resulted in the five deaths, according to the respective police reports reviewed by The Gleaner.

A pedestrian, 66, and a motorcyclist, 63, were killed in separate crashes in Kingston and Westmoreland on Holy Thursday, the reports revealed.

A motorcyclist, 31, was killed in Westmoreland on Saturday before two male drivers were killed in a two-vehicle crash in St Ann on Easter Sunday.

Their names were not disclosed.

Two more deaths were recorded yesterday when a truck carrying cement went over a precipice along the Spur Tree Hill main road in Manchester, the police have confirmed. The male driver and a female passenger were killed.

“Five road deaths ... is alarming and highlights the necessity to be ever vigilant to ensure that all aspects of the Safe Systems are operating at maximum capacity,” Dr Lucien Jones, vice-chairman of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), told The Gleaner yesterday in response to the holiday weekend carnage.

ENFORCEMENT MEASURE

“We need to ensure, in particular, safe speeds by enforcing the speed limits, using breathalyser systems and using the demerit point system – when it becomes available – to remove serial offenders,” said Jones.

Sixty-seven people have died in 59 fatal collisions since January 1 this year, a 33 per cent reduction in deaths and a 32 per cent drop in collisions when compared with the corresponding period last year.

The victims include 18 motorcyclists – which accounts for 27 per cent of all fatalities – 15 pedestrians, and 15 private motor vehicle drivers, according to the latest statistics published by the Island Traffic Authority.

St Elizabeth and Westmoreland have each recorded 10 road deaths, the highest of all 14 parishes.

The double tragedy in St Ann happened about 3 a.m. along the Salem main road near the popular Truck Stop Plaza and involved a Honda Civic and a Mercedes-Benz motor car, according to the police report.

Overtaking improperly on the offside, excessive speeding with no regard to road condition, and apparent error of judgment/negligence were listed as the possible causes of the crash.

The 66-year-old pedestrian was killed along Beckford Street, near the Darling Street police station after he was hit by a car. Reversing negligently, apparent error of judgment/negligence, and inattention/diverted attention were listed as the possible causes of the crash.

livern.barrett@gleanerjm.com