Surge in road deaths; at least 40 killed in crashes in last 28 days

KINGSTON, Jamaica — At least 40 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in the 28 days between August 14 and September 11, according to an analysis of the daily crash reports of the Island Traffic Authority (ITA). According to the daily crash reports, 202 people were killed as a result of 174 fatal crashes as at August 14. Those figures included 49 motorcyclists.

They also represented a 15 per cent decline or 36 fewer deaths when compared to the similar period in 2025. Fatal crashes were also down 16 per cent at that time. Fast forward to Friday, September 11 and some of those gains have been eroded as is seen in the 242 deaths from 209 fatal crashes now being reported by the ITA.

According to the ITA, fatalities have decreased by 10 per cent when compared to prior year while fatal crashes are down 10 per cent when compared with similar period in 2025. Overall, there are 26 fewer deaths when compared to the similar period in 2025. As of September 11, motorcyclists account for 63 or 26 per cent of fatalities since the start of the year.

Private motor vehicle drivers account for 55 or 23 per cent, while pedestrians account for 53 deaths or 22 per cent of all fatalities this year. The ITA is also reporting that private motor vehicle passengers, account for 33 deaths or 14 per cent of fatalities, commercial motor vehicle passengers account for deaths 14 deaths or six per cent, and pillion passengers account for eight deaths or three per cent of fatalities since January 1. Meanwhile, the group of road users determined to be the most vulnerable - pedestrians, pedalcyclists, motorcyclists and pillion passengers combined - account for 53 per cent of fatalities.

Overall, passengers account for 24 per cent of all road deaths this year, while males and females account for 86 per cent and 15 per cent respectively of fatalities since the start of the year. In the meantime, Westmoreland parish has recorded the highest number of fatalities, accounting for 13 per cent of fatalities since the start of 2026.