Four months into the year, the number of fatal accidents and fatalities on our roads seems to be trending downwards, when compared to the figure for the corresponding period last year.

At this time last year, 118 persons had been killed in 109 accidents. So far, however, 94 lives were lost on the island's roads in 106 accidents.

St Elizabeth is the parish with the highest number of road fatalities so far, with 18 lives being lost. Next is Westmoreland with 15 fatalities, and St Catherine North Division with 13. Last year, St James, Hanover and St Catherine North area topped the list.

Nine children

As in previous years, the majority of those killed were pedestrians, with 33 losing their lives so far, compared to 36 last year. Nine children under age 14 have been killed in accidents so far, while at this time last year, 19 children had lost their lives. Motorcyclists also made up a large percentage of the total figure, with 17 being killed so far. Also contributing to the total number of deaths were passengers travelling in private motor cars. Nineteen such persons have been killed to date.

In the last major accident, which occurred in St Elizabeth, two men were killed and two others injured on the Lacovia main road.

CRASHED INTO TRUCK

Killed were Dalton Clayton and Warren Weise, both 33 years old.

Reports are that at 11:20 p.m., Clayton was driving a Toyota Corolla along the Lacovia main road heading towards Black River. On reaching a section of the roadway, he overtook a motor car and crashed into a Freightliner truck that was parked on the opposite side of the road.

All four sustained multiple injuries. Clayton died on spot, while the others were taken to the Black River Hospital where Weise died and the others were admitted.