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The Infrastructure Minister has revealed plans to review and update the island's traffic laws after data showed that Jersey has a greater proportion of road casualties involving pedestrians and cyclists than Great Britain.
Constable Andy Jehan said there was "a human story" behind the figures contained in the 2023 Road Traffic Collision and Casualty Update.
He confirmed that officers were developing changes to "create a safer road space for vulnerable road users", such as safer pedestrian crossings and cycle routes.
Pictured: More road casualties in Jersey involve vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists than in Great Britain.
The report used data collected by the States of Jersey Police, who record information from every reported road traffic collision that results in personal injuries.
The comparison data for Great Britain was collected by UK Police Forces and validated by the UK Department for Transport.
It showed that, in 2023 Jersey police responded to 932 collisions, costing an estimated £1.7m in police resources.
There were 214 total casualties, of which more than two-thirds were vulnerable road users such as motorbike riders, cyclists or pedestrians.
Pictured: A breakdown of the key road traffic collision and casualty figures for 2023.
The report also noted that a "significantly greater proportion" of road casualties in Jersey involve vulnerable road users (64.2%), compared to Great Britain (39.2%).
It added: "Several factors could explain this significant difference.
"Jersey's roads often have no or narrow pavements, numerous bends, and varying road widths, making them more challenging for vulnerable road users.
"Additionally, Jersey, as a small island, is more attractive for active travel modes of transport."
Commenting on the report, Mr Jehan said: “Behind the data is a human story and I am mindful of the impact on those who have experienced tragedies because of a road collision.
"I am committed to working on reducing the number of casualties on our roads with the goal of striving towards a safer future for all road users.
"This also means a review and update of road traffic laws to greater support us and the police in our roles to reduce risk on the roads."
Pictured: Infrastructure Minister Andy Jehan said he was working on reducing the number of casualties on Jersey's roads.
Mr Jehan continued: “We will be engaging with local communities to understand their specific concerns and officers are developing a programme of infrastructure delivery which will help create a safer road space for vulnerable road users, such as safer pedestrian crossings and cycle routes especially in the east of the island.
“Part of the work will be the launch of a Collision and Casualty Reduction Plan, which will clearly identify the actions we will be taking over the short to medium term to reduce road risk and consequent road harm.”
Deputy Police Chief Scott Hall said: “In our ongoing efforts to enhance road safety, the 2023 Collision and Casualty Update provides crucial insights into the patterns and outcomes of road traffic collisions in Jersey.
"Our data underscores the importance of targeted interventions and infrastructure improvements to protect our most vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists."
Pictured: Infrastructure officers are developing a programme of changes to create a safer road space for vulnerable road users such as safer cycle routes.
He added: "The findings from this report are instrumental in guiding our enforcement strategies and the continued work we are doing with Infrastructure.
"By understanding the specific challenges and risks highlighted, such as the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on traffic dynamics and the comparative analysis with Great Britain, we can better allocate resources and develop initiatives that will lead to a safer road environment for everyone.”
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