The Road Safety Traffic Unit is reporting an increase in the number of road accident deaths to passengers of private motor vehicles.

In a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) release, the unit said deaths in multiple crashes had increased significantly compared to the same period last year. Figures indicate that last year there were two deaths compared to 15 so far this year.

The unit said, however, that deaths caused by public passenger vehicles accidents had declined by 80 per cent compared to the similar period last year.

September 24 and 25 have been the deadliest days of the year, the unit claimed. "Within 24 hours, Jamaica witnessed 10 private motor vehicle passengers killed as a result of wanton carelessness on the part of drivers, who were engaged in speeding and improper overtaking manoeuvres," Kenute Hare, statistician at the unit, told JIS.

In September, it is reported that there was also a high prevalence of road fatalities among boys. Statistics from the unit indicated that 13 of the 18 children killed this year were boys. The unit said this was worrying because the boys have always been in the majority.

In an effort to reduce the number of accidents on the roads, in May some authorities said they would be lobbying for the Government to make five amendments to the traffic laws. According to a JIS release, the five amendments are to be made to the Road Traffic Act by 2008 to make dangerous and careless driving a 'ticketable' offence. It would also seek to set standards for tyres and the tinting of private vehicles.

Executive Director of the National Road Safety Council, Paula Fletcher, had said then that the council, and the Jamaica Automobile Association, would be lobbying the Government to fast-track these amendments in an effort to reduce the number of road accidents.