DEATHS on Jamaica's roads have dropped 30 per cent in 2010, reports the Road Safety Unit (RSU).

To date there have been 112 fatalities, 49 less than the 161 fatalities recorded over the same period last year, said the unit. There has been a corresponding 26 per cent fall in the number of fatal crashes from 142 to 106.

Child fatalities declined by 21 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year. So far 11 children have died, compared to 14 last year.

However the unit is urging against complacency and wants adults to teach children about road safety.

Meantime, RSU Acting Director Julian Thompson believes that likewise, children can positively influence the road behaviour of adults.

The Children Against Reckless Driving (CARD) campaign has targeted children aged seven to 12 years old, having them design cards featuring persons who in their eyes embody safe driving and provide role models for other motorists.

They bring a fresh perspective to things and give us a reason to pause and think. The vigour with which the children have embraced the CARD campaign and are highlighting their road models is proof of this, Thompson said.

He thanked the children for their support of the campaign.

At a time like now, when the road fatalities are trending downwards, I genuinely hope that adults or big people, as the children like to say, heed their message and be a road model, not a road clown, he said.

There has also been a 45 per cent reduction in deaths among private motor carriage (PMC) drivers, down from 33 to 18. PMC passengers fatalities have also fallen by 37 per cent, moving from 27 in 2009 to 17 in 2010.

Motorcyclist deaths fell from 24 to 14. Pedestrians deaths, however, rose from 43 in 2009 to 48.

Thompson appealed to motorists to drive with care and be aware of pedestrians sharing the island's roads. For their part, pedestrians are urged to stay off the road as much as possible and use sidewalks and pedestrian crossings where available.

Pedestrians should also look both ways when crossing the road.