Onlookers view the mangled remains of the Honda Civic motor car which crashed into a parked truck along the Llandilo main road in Westmoreland on Friday. Ryan Samuels, who was driving the car, died on the spot. At least 316 persons have perished in traffic accidents since January. - Photo by Dalton Laing

THE POLICE say they will be intensifying efforts this festive season to minimise traffic collisions.

The warning follows two deadly smash-ups on the weekend, bringing to at least 316 the number of persons to have died in road crashes since January.

Forty-year-old Michael Williams and 44-year-old farmer Garfield Mendez were killed in separate incidents.

According to police reports, Williams was riding his bicycle in the vicinity of the Lucea courthouse, Hanover, on Saturday, when he collided with a Toyota Fielder motor car.

Meanwhile, Mendez, who is from Thompson Town district in Trelawny, died from injuries he sustained in a three-vehicle crash on the Content main road in Williamsfield, Manchester, on Saturday night.

Three other persons have been admitted to hospital in serious condition.

The police report that about 7:50 p.m., Andrew Gowdie was driving his Mitsubishi Gallant towards Williamsfield when, on reaching a section of the roadway, he lost control of the automobile and collided with a Nissan Sunny motor car which was travelling in the opposite direction.

The impact caused the Nissan motor car to slam into a Nissan pickup with Mendez aboard. Mendez, along with the driver and passengers, was taken to hospital where he died.

According to the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), the police will be using newly commissioned breathalyser machines to detect drivers who exceed the alcohol content limit.

The police say they will also be enforcing the closing hours of premises with spirit licences.

The CCN says motorcyclists and pillion passengers who fail to wear helmets will be targeted.

Road crash facts

Most accidents with serious or fatal consequences occur between 3:00 p.m. and midnight.

More than 50 per cent of accidents involve drivers between the ages of 21 and 35.

The categories of road users most at risk are pedestrians, motorcyclists, private motor car passengers and drivers.

The main causes of crashes are excessive speeding, dangerous driving, improper overtaking, disobeying stop lights and stop signs and overloaded vehicles.