KINGSTON, Jamaica — New official road safety data has revealed a sharp decline in fatal traffic accidents across Jamaica for March 2026, marking significant progress in reducing road deaths compared to the same period last year.
According to statistics published Wednesday by the Island Traffic Authority (ITA), 17 people lost their lives in 16 separate fatal crashes across the island during March 2026. This figure represents a 50% decrease from the 34 fatalities recorded in March 2025.
While the overall decline offers cautious optimism for road safety advocates, breakdowns of the fatality data highlight persistent high risk for motorcyclists. Eight of the 17 March 2026 deaths were motorcyclists, making up 47% of all fatalities for the month.
Private motor vehicle drivers were the second most affected group, accounting for five deaths, or 29% of total fatalities. Pedestrians accounted for three fatalities, equal to 18% of the total, while a single private motor vehicle passenger death made up the remaining 6% of fatalities.
The most encouraging improvements are seen in vulnerable road user groups: children and elderly people. Only one child fatality was recorded in March 2026, a 67% drop from the number of child deaths in March 2025. Similarly, just one elderly person died in a traffic crash last month, representing an 80% reduction in elderly fatalities year-over-year.