Road fatalities surge by 14% in 2024

RHONDOR DOWLAT
Senior Reporter
rhondor.dowlat@guardian.co.tt

Road fatalities have surged this year, with a 14 per cent rise in deadly accidents even as overall crashes have dropped.
According to recent data released by Arrive Alive, fatal road traffic accidents (RTAs) climbed from 58 in 2023 to 66 in 2024, resulting in 70 deaths—a 13 per cent increase from last year’s 62.
The figures reveal a troubling reality. While overall RTAs fell from 96 last year to 66 this year, the incidents that do happen are increasingly deadly.
The breakdown shows that adult fatalities dropped from 99 to 69, but pedestrian deaths remain stubbornly high, with 31 reported this year compared to 34 last year.
Driver deaths have almost halved, falling from 43 to 22, while passenger deaths declined from 17 to 12.
Motorcyclist deaths dropped from six to four, and pedal cyclist fatalities held at one.
Sharon Inglefield, head of the road safety advocacy group Arrive Alive, extended her condolences to the families affected by these tragedies.
She expressed concern over the rising toll and the continued recklessness on the roads. “A vehicle can become a weapon in the wrong hands,” Inglefield said, urging drivers to adjust their speed to match road conditions. “Despite countless warnings, we still see drivers speeding in rain, driving under the influence, and ignoring basic safety rules like wearing seatbelts.”
Inglefield stressed that responsibility lies with each driver. “The police can’t be everywhere. It’s up to each of us to set the standard for safer driving and lead by example,” she stated.
Inglefield called for an end to aggressive driving, which she says contributes to preventable tragedies. “Too many families are grieving this year because of incidents that didn’t need to happen.”
The sharp rise in fatalities highlights an urgent need for better road safety measures and personal accountability.
As Inglefield emphasised, “Every life lost is one too many, and most of these deaths could have been avoided if drivers made safer choices.”
With the year progressing, these statistics serve as a stark reminder that road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

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