41 killed in road crashes during the month of July, says ITA

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Island Traffic Authority (ITA) is reporting that 41 people were killed in motor vehicle collisions during the month of July 2026. This is a three per cent increase in fatalities when compared to July 2025 and a seven per cent increase in fatal crashes. With seven deaths each, the parishes of Westmoreland and Trelawny recorded the most fatalities during the month.

St James was next with six fatalities, followed by St Ann and St Catherine with four deaths each. Hanover, St Mary, Clarendon, St Andrew and Portland each saw two road deaths; Manchester and St Thomas had one each. There were no road deaths recorded in the parish of Kingston during the month under review.

According to the statistics that were released on Wednesday by the ITA, 10 motorcyclists were killed in road crashes during the month, accounting for 24 per cent of July fatalities. Of note is that motorcyclists’ fatalities decreased by 17 per cent or two, when compared to July 2025. The ITA said private motor vehicle drivers accounted for 20 per cent or eight fatalities during July 2026.

This represents a 60 per cent increase or three more deaths when compared to July 2025. At the same time, commercial motor vehicle passengers accounted for a 20 per cent increase or eight additional fatalities among this category of road users. Meanwhile, pedestrians accounted for 12 per cent or five fatalities during July 2026, an increase of 150 per cent or three fatalities, when compared with the corresponding month in 2025.

This meant child fatalities decreased by 75 per cent, or three, when compared with the similar period in 2025. Five elderly people were also killed in motor vehicle crashes last month. This represents a 44 per cent reduction or four fewer deaths when compared to July 2025.

Vulnerable road users made up of pedestrians, pedal cyclists, motorcyclists and pillion passengers combined, accounted for 41 per cent of all fatalities during July 2026. Overall, passengers accounted for 32 per cent of the road deaths. The ITA said there were four multi-vehicle collisions during the month which resulted in 14 fatalities.