Residents living along Ratu Sukuna Road in Suva are raising concerns about speeding and reckless driving, particularly during weekends when the seawall area becomes a popular recreational area.
Ratu Sukuna Road resident Marita Manley, who regularly walks and runs along the seawall with her dog, says the problem is particularly noticeable on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings, when groups of young men gather along the road.
Manley says some drivers appear to use the area to race or speed their vehicles despite it being a residential road used by families and people visiting the seawall.
She says the situation is concerning for families with young children, many of whom ride bicycles and scooters along the seawall.
Recently, some accidents have also occurred in the Nasese area.
Manley says the seawall is one of the few recreational spaces available in Suva where people can walk, exercise and have picnics, and she believes the behaviour of a small group of drivers is affecting the enjoyment of the area for others.
She says the Fiji Roads Authority had to install traffic-calming measures after the road was upgraded because of the way some drivers were using the road.
Manley says it is unfortunate that these measures affect everyone because of the behaviour of a relatively small group of drivers.
She says she has seen LTA traffic officers conduct operations in the area on Saturdays and Sundays at times, but believes a more consistent presence would be more effective.
Manley says the group of drivers involved is roughly the same and believes regular enforcement could help deter the behaviour.
She says drivers who want to drive like rally cars should use appropriate venues rather than public roads.
Manley says many families use the seawall, and she would be concerned if she were a parent of young children using the area.
She believes the behaviour could discourage families from enjoying the seawall, which is a public recreational space.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe says the Central Traffic Team has been conducting operations in the area, during which vehicles have been impounded and traffic infringement notices issued.
He says a team has been deployed to the area for the past two weeks.
Questions have been sent to Fiji Roads Authority and the Land Transport Authority.
