Minister of Transport and Housing JoBeth Coleby-Davis yesterday expressed “deep concern” about the rise in traffic fatalities in The Bahamas, noting that there is a “dramatic rise” in female traffic fatality victims.
During the first five months of 2021, the number of traffic fatalities was 13.
In 2022, the number rose to 19. So far for 2023, the number of fatalities stands at 22.
“This is a worrying trend,” Coleby-Davis said in a statement.
Of the reported fatalities so far for 2023, most of the victims were the drivers of vehicles and 59 percent were under the age of 35.
Approximately 78 percent of the fatal traffic accidents occurred between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m. with the majority occurring on the streets of New Providence and Grand Bahama, according to officials.
Eight females died in traffic accidents so far for 2023.
Last year, three females died in traffic accidents and in 2021, one female died.
Two women were killed in separate traffic accidents on New Providence last week, according to police.
The victim, who was driving a white Daihatsu Mira, was traveling east on Prince Charles Drive, collided into a white flatbed truck that was traveling west.
The truck driver then hit a utility pole and another car that was parked on the side of the street, police said.
The woman who was driving the Mira died at the scene. The male driver of the truck was injured and taken to hospital.
Police said the drivers of a GMC Canyon and Nissan Cube collided at the intersection of McKinney Avenue and Johnstone Avenue.
Both drivers were injured, however, the driver of the Cube died at the scene. The male driver of the GMC was treated at hospital.
“Considering the reported fatalities, the minister of transport and housing and the Road Traffic Department are urging members of the public to exercise extreme caution on the roadways.
“Members of the public are urged to always drive within the speed limit, wear seatbelts and obey all traffic laws. Do not drive a vehicle if you are under the influence of alcohol. Do not use mobile devices while driving.”
There were 46 traffic fatalities in 2021. That number increased to 59 in 2022.
