With at least 123 road facilities since the start of the year, executive director of the National Road Safety Council, Paula Fletcher, has appealed to motorists to cut their speed and obey the rules of the road.

On Wednesday, May 2, the number was one fewer than the same period last year, when 124 persons lost their lives as a result of road accidents.

Main causes of road accidents

Mrs. Fletcher noted that speeding was one of the main causes of road crashes. She said that driving under the influence of alcohol, overtaking carelessly and driving with faulty tyres were other major causes of crashes.

"Over the past weekend, more than 10 persons lost their lives as a result of crashes, so I am again appealing to motorists, do not speed, do not overtake carelessly, and look out for pedestrians, especially children and the elderly," she cautioned.

Mrs. Fletcher pointed out, that while the council had made recommendations to the Government, as it related to amending the Road Traffic Act, it was important that motorists display a greater sense of responsibility as they used the roads.

"People need to take more responsibility for their personal safety and for the safety of others, as a lot of times it's the decisions that we make as road users that tend to bring us harm. Over the years, human behaviour has been the main cause of road crashes compared to faulty road structures, which account for only four per cent of such crashes," she stated.