January 5, 2025
KINGSTON, Jamaica— Thursday was the safest day of the week for road users in Jamaica in 2024 while Friday was the worst according to statistics compiled by the Island Traffic Authority (ITA).
According to the updated figures released by the ITA, 365 people were killed in 314 fatal crashes in 2024. This is 60 fewer than the 425 who perished in 2023.
The figures show that throughout 2024, there were 23 fatal crashes on a Thursday resulting in 25 fatalities. This contrasts sharply with Fridays which saw 64 fatal crashes and 73 deaths making it the most deadly day for road users last year.
The weekend days from Friday through Sunday were the deadliest for road users as they recorded a combined 172 fatal crashes which resulted in 206 fatalities. This suggests the weekends are prone to crashes that result in multiple deaths.
Meanwhile, 60 fatal crashes and 68 deaths were recorded on Saturdays while Sundays chalked up 48 fatal crashes and a significant 65 deaths. Sunday was the day of the week most likely to have multiple deaths from vehicular crashes in 2024.
After Thursday, the next safest day of the week for road users in 2024 was Wednesday which saw 38 fatal crashes and 43 deaths. There were 40 fatal crashes and 45 fatalities on Mondays; Tuesdays saw 41 fatal crashes and 45 deaths.
The National Road Safety Council is looking to reduce road fatalities by 20 per cent in 2025.