The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

A total of 55 people died as the result of traffic accidents in 2015, the most in a year since 2009 when 56 people were killed, according to Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) statistics.

The deceased included 13 people between the ages of 18 and 25, the most to die from any age group.

Eighteen of those who died were drivers, 16 were passengers, eight were pedestrians, seven were motorbike riders and four were bicyclists.

In terms of a monthly breakdown, most of the deaths took place during December, when 12 people died.

Nine of victims died in Grand Bahama, while New Providence counted 26 deaths.

In comparison, 37 people died during car accidents in 2014; 51 in 2013; 44 in both 2012, and 32 in 2011.

Last month, Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin expressed concern abut the role speeding and alcohol may have played in the deaths of young people in the last 20 days.

“We have three issues: road safety, road engineering and enforcement,” she said. “We have recently brought someone in to assist us with dealing with the various issues and getting the relevant information out to the public. From the education point of view, we want to heighten the information and start in the schools, teaching our kids about the dangers of drinking and driving and speeding. We have new (public service announcements) we are running and we are talking to our young people about ways to celebrate without drinking alcohol, and it is a combined effort with varying agencies. We are developing a manual aimed at high school students and we also want the community to get involved as well because it is everyone’s problem.”