Seven children, ages 0–17 have died on the nation’s roads since the start of the year.

The National Road Safety Council, (NRSC), says the disturbing rise is a cause for concern.

Vice Chairman, Dr. Lucien Jones highlights that police reports link many of these deaths to excessive speeding and drivers failing to stay in their lanes.

While overall road fatalities, have fallen by 33%, Dr. Jones warned that the situation remains deeply concerning.

He noted that 3 of the children killed were passengers of private motor vehicles.

Dr. Jones also noted, the need to ramp up road safety efforts to protect all lives.

A renewed call for road safety, also came from the Island Traffic Authority, as Director General, Colonel Daniel Pryce, urged all Jamaicans to take collective responsibility, noting that every fatality represents a grieving family.