By: Shantae Porter
April 24, 2026
Road fatalities across Jamaica continue to raise alarm, with hundreds of deaths recorded annually, reinforcing concerns that the country’s road safety measures are not keeping pace with dangerous driving behaviours.
Data from the Island Traffic Authority, reported in the Jamaica Observer, show that 354 people were killed up to December 11, 2025 on the nation’s, an increase over the previous year. The figures highlight a persistent national crisis driven largely by speeding, reckless overtaking, and non-compliance with traffic laws.
But in Manchester, police statistics appear to tell a different story.
Since the start of the year, 207 traffic accidents have been reported in the parish, down from 260 during the same period last year, a reduction of 53 crashes, according to Sergeant Florizel William of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
“I have not seen an increase… in fact, there is a decrease,” William said. “But accidents is always a concern.”
Despite the drop in reported crashes, many residents say the roads in Manchester, particularly around Mandeville, remain dangerous.
“I feel unsafe due to the increase in road fatalities, the degraded road, and reckless usage of the roads,” said Abigail Williams, who pointed to Spur Tree, Williamsfield, and the road leading to the hospital as high-risk areas.
Another Mandeville resident, who requested anonymity, described frequent near-misses caused by “speeding or overtaking dangerously,” adding that stricter enforcement and better road maintenance are urgently needed.
Taxi operators, who spend hours on the road daily, also pointed to driver behavior as a major factor in crashes.
Simon, a taxi driver in Mandeville, said speeding is a key issue. “Speed actually causes most of the accidents… cut your speed and I think we will get a better Jamaica when it comes to driving,” he said.
Another driver, Kevin, highlighted impatience among motorists at Kendal crossing. “They don’t want to wait,” he said, explaining that drivers often try to move before it is safe, increasing the risk of collisions
According to William, the leading causes of crashes in Manchester are speeding and failure to keep to the left, consistent with national trends.
High-risk corridors include Winston Jones Highway, Spur Tree Hill, and New Forest, areas that continue to see repeated collisions, including fatal crashes.
Police have increased enforcement through highway patrols and motorcycle units, particularly along major roadways such as the Williamsfield leg of the highway.
However, William acknowledged limitations. “Police can’t be everywhere all the time,” he said, emphasizing that drivers must take responsibility.
For some families, the statistics do not capture the full reality.
A relative of a crash victim, interviewed in Manchester for this story and requesting anonymity, described the emotional toll after losing a loved one in a collision along Spur Tree Hill.
“He was just heading home when the crash happened,” the relative said. “You hear about accidents every day, but you never think it will be your family until it happens.”
The relative believes both reckless driving and road conditions contributed. “The road bad in some areas, and drivers still speeding. It’s like nobody taking it seriously until something happen.”
While driver behaviour remains the primary cause, road conditions are emerging as a contributing factor.
William admitted that some roadways in the parish are narrow and require maintenance. “The road itself needs patching… they do contribute to some collisions,” he said.
The National Works Agency has also acknowledged in public updates that deteriorating road surfaces, potholes, poor drainage, and overgrown road edges can increase crash risks if not addressed.
In areas like Spur Tree Hill, known for steep gradients and sharp bends, residents say these conditions make driving even more hazardous, particularly during rain.
Across Jamaica, road safety advocates warn that the problem extends beyond any single parish. Reports from the Gleaner and the Jamaica Observer consistently point to reckless driving and weak compliance as major contributors to fatalities.
The contrast between Manchester’s declining crash numbers and rising fatalities nationally raises key questions: Are accidents becoming more severe? Are risky behaviours increasing despite fewer reported crashes?
For residents in Manchester, the answers are less important than the reality they face.
Until both driver behaviour and road conditions are addressed, experts say the roads will continue to pose a serious threat, regardless of what the statistics suggest.