This Toyota motor car and a truck were involved in a collision at Heroes Circle in Kingston yesterday. No one was hurt in the accident.

Onlookers prepare to leave the scene of a motor-vehicle crash yesterday. This Subaru motor car slammed into a fence after hitting the Honda SUV seen in the background, and a Coaster bus along Heroes Circle in Kingston. The driver of the car fled the... - photos by Norman Grindley /acting Photography editor

The driver of this Nissan Caravan van removes a damaged head lamp from his vehicle after a three-vehicle accident at the intersection of Lyndhurst Road and Beechwood Avenue in St Andrew yesterday.

At least three motor-vehicle accidents were recorded within five hours in the Corporate Area yesterday morning, despite a major campaign for more responsibility on the roads.

Official reports show that 22 people lost their lives in road traffic mishaps in the first 19 days of the year.

Twenty people were killed in road crashes up to January 21, 2008. Last year, 341 people died on the nation's streets.

That included 14 people who were killed in one incident in the Rio Grande valley, Portland, on December 19.

Yesterday's accident victims included 64-year-old Gleaner contractor, Donald Vendryes, who was left nursing injuries after he was hit from his motorbike at the intersection of Lyndhurst Road and Beechwood Avenue in St Andrew.

Failed to stop

The police reported that just before 11:30 a.m. Vendryes was on Lyndhurst Road facing Maxfield Avenue when the driver of a grey Nissan Caravan failed in his attempt to stop the vehicle and collided with the motorbike.

"People just won't obey the lights. It is clear that the van driver was trying to stop, but he was going too fast. You can see the skid marks extending more than 50 feet where he was trying to brake up," a policeman on the scene told The Gleaner.

The driver of the Nissan Caravan was taken into police custody for questioning. Investigators say there was a problem for motorists approaching the traffic light from the end of Beechwood Avenue which is closer to Arnett Gardens.

"You can't see the traffic signals clearly and it is something that needs to be reported again," one cop said as he referred to a story previously carried in the media about the problems motorists face on approaching that intersection.

The intersection has been the scene of numerous collisions in recent months with many motorists complaining about the poor placement of traffic lights.

In the meantime, The Gleaner team also visited Heroes Circle, Kingston where there were two motor-vehicle accidents.

The police did not report any serious injuries in these collisions.

Late last year the National Road Safety Council launched its 'Save 300 Lives' campaign in reaction to the number of road fatalities.

The campaign, which is a collaborative effort between the council and the Cabinet Office, is aimed at reducing traffic fatalities to under 300 for this year and beyond.

Motor-vehicle accidents claim 22 lives in the first 19 days of 2009 ...

Deadly dozen bad driving habits

Bad driving habits are more than inconsiderate and rude, they are dangerous and illegal.

Going too fast

Bad overtaking

Failure to use turn signals

Ignoring red lights and stop signs

Poor lane discipline

Tailgating

No allowing to merge

Failure to yield

Bad manners and inconsiderate behaviour

Blocking an intersection

Ignorance - In 1999, the Road Traffic Act was amended to provide for the mandatory use of seat belts and motorcycle helmets. Use them.

Going too slowly - Although drivers seldom get ticketed for this violation, it's a major irritant to other motorists.