A RECENT report from the Road Safety Unit (RSU) has marked the period September 24-25 as the deadliest period in Jamaica, in terms of fatal crashes, since the start of the year.

In just two days, seven women and three men were killed in motor vehicle accidents in the parish of St. Catherine. The accidents have been blamed on improper over-taking and speeding manoeuvres carried out by drivers.

Statistics provided by Kenute Hare, accident analyst and statistician at the RSU, indicate that since 2001 there have been 37 multiple fatal crashes on the island's roadways, resulting in the death of at least 140 individuals.

The parishes of St. Ann and St. Catherine accounted for 38 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively, of the multiple fatal crashes and multiple fatalities.

Additionally, 254 persons have been killed in 212 accidents since 2006. The number of passengers killed on the road since 2006 has increased by 27 per cent when compared with similar periods in 2006. However, interestingly, the statistics have shown that fatal accidents and fatalities have decreased by seven per cent and four per cent, respectively, when compared with similar periods last year.