LTA issues traffic infringement notice and warning after a near-miss incident involving a 5-year-old in Saweni, Lautoka

Following a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the incident in Saweni, Lautoka last week where a 5-year-old girl almost ended up under a bus after the driver intentionally moved the bus, a traffic infringement notice has been issued to the said driver of the incident and has been formally warned.

The Saweni, Lautoka family of the girl had raised serious concerns about the safety of their children when returning from school in public transport.

Land Transport Authority says their enforcement team has taken decisive action to ensure the safety of passengers and members of the public on our roads.

LTA Acting CEO Irimaia Rokosawa says the driver has also been reminded of the importance of adhering to traffic regulations and maintaining professional conduct at all times.

He says they will also be focusing on the concerns raised by the public on the inappropriate behaviour of PSV drivers which will be taken seriously and immediately addressed with appropriate penalties applied for non-compliance with PSV Drivers Code of Conduct.

He adds that their Road Safety Education teams are conducting awareness and outreach to various companies and drivers on the PSV code of conduct and the importance of ensuring passenger safety on our road.

The CEO says LTA have conducted 225 school education and awareness from January to April this year and so far, 41,169 students, 19 public outreachs impacting 4,137 people, 104 office outreachs impacting 6,147 office workers, 128 driver roadside awareness impacting 11,991 drivers, 99 passenger roadside awareness impacting 24,380 passengers, 77 pedestrian roadside awareness impacting 8,085 pedestrians, 124 community outreach awareness impacting 30,919 people and 117 Defensive Driving Course awareness impacting 4,227 participants.

893 awareness activities were carried out with an impact of 131,055. These initiatives will continue throughout the year.

Rokowasa is also urging parents and guardians to take a proactive role in educating their children at home on the importance of adhering to road safety measures and fostering a culture of safety where one life lost is one too many.