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July is shaping up to be the deadliest month on Jamaica's roads so far this year.

Dr Lucien Jones, vice-chair of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), said that there have been 36 fatalities, with the projection for the tally to reach 40 by month-end, a forecast he calls "an absolute disaster". This disturbing trend comes despite a 15 per cent decline in road deaths recorded in the first quarter of 2025. At that point, according to the Island Traffic Authority (ITA), Jamaica had seen 93 fatalities from 84 fatal crashes, an encouraging shift from the corresponding period in 2024. However, up to July 25, the number of road deaths stood at 223 from 192 fatal collisions, a four per cent increase over last year's tally for the similar period. There were 34 road deaths in June.

Jones opined that the initial decline was tied to heightened public attention surrounding the implementation of the new Road Traffic Act and its accompanying enforcement tools.

"A lot of these things were in the public's mind, the increased fines, the point system, the fact that police could write tickets more efficiently and that warrants would be issued for non-compliance," he told THE STAR. "That public hype helped drive the numbers down to 375 deaths last year from over 420 the year before."

But that momentum has faded.

"People went back to their bad habits," he said. "They're speeding, not wearing helmets, and making poor choices. We're going back to the bad old days again, hopefully not, but that's what's happening right now." Among the deadliest crashes was along the Salt Marsh main road in Trelawny when five persons perished on July 6.

Motorcyclists, who made up 28 per cent of fatalities in the first quarter, continue to be among the most vulnerable road users. While early-year data suggested fewer biker deaths, recent trends are erasing those gains.

"A lot of motorcyclists died in the earlier part of the year, but it's beginning to catch up now," Jones said.

Citing a 2023 Don Anderson survey, he revealed that nearly 60 per cent of both motorcyclists and pillion riders were not wearing helmets.

"The Ministry of Health's data for 2023 also confirms widespread non-compliance with safety device regulations, people not using helmets or seat belts," he said.

The ITA's July report also presented a grim picture for motorcyclists. Those road users have accounted for 60 of the 223 fatalities so far this year, with another 10 deaths involving pillion passengers. Private motor vehicle drivers and passengers together account for 85 deaths more than a third of the total.

"Multiple fatalities in one crash, five at a time, three at a time, that's been happening far too often," Jones said. "And a lot of those are private vehicles."

As a result, the NRSC has issued a red alert nationwide. "We want people to be aware and to respond," said Jones. "The police are going to get more vigilant, and hopefully, people will change."

He added that the current rise is especially worrying heading into the final quarter of the year, when road deaths traditionally spike.

"Going towards Christmas, November, December, we usually have an increase in fatalities. The 'silly season' is coming and we're already seeing the warning signs."