The Road Safety Unit (RSU) is urging road users to act responsibly during the period of celebrations to mark Jamaica’s 50th year of Independence just weeks away.

The RSU, which is an agency of the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, says it is also important for passengers to become more vigilant and responsible since they accounted for 26 per cent of those killed in fatal crashes since the start of the year.

Despite the concern, education and information Officer at the RSU Julian Thompson says road fatalities are down 22 per cent over the first half of the year, when compared to the corresponding period last year.

Thompson says 19 persons were killed on the nation’s roadways in June and adds that this was bettered only by the 16 road fatalities reported in the month of February.

However, he expressed concern that 54 per cent of the road fatalities reported so far for the year occurred between Fridays and Sundays, which is usually the party period for most persons.

As a result, he again appealed to persons attending entertainment events to not only drink responsibility, but to think responsibly and desist from drinking when they have to operate a motor vehicle.