With reckless driving behaviours flagged by the Land Transport Authority as the main cause of road crashes and fatalities on our roads, the Authority has cancelled 70 driver's licences and suspended 48 from January 2024 to April this year.
LTA is warning all drivers that persistent non-compliance with road safety measures will not be tolerated.
In a statement, LTA says they are intensifying their enforcement efforts against reckless and dangerous driving behaviours, reinforcing its commitment to public road safety.
LTA Chief Executive Officer Irimaia Rokosawa says drivers must understand the serious consequences of reckless behaviour on the roads and will continue to act firmly against those who pose a threat to public safety.
He says continuous disregard for traffic laws will lead to licence cancellation or suspension.
Rokosawa says the move follows a concerning rise in incidents of unsafe driving, with more showcause hearings expected to take place this year. He adds these proceedings are conducted to review cases where drivers have repeatedly failed to meet their responsibilities despite undergoing disciplinary processes and counselling sessions.
The CEO says every licence holder has a duty to uphold road safety, and this means adhering to speed limits, following safety advisories on fatigue, and complying with all traffic regulations.
He adds that to reach the point of licence suspension or cancellation, drivers undergo a staged disciplinary process, including initial counselling sessions at LTA branches to help them change their behaviour. Rokosawa says if the infractions continue, a series of three formal warnings are issued—first, second, and final—before more severe enforcement actions are taken.
The CEO said in 2024, the LTA counselled 164 drivers and issued 1,751 first warnings, 366 second warnings, and 181 final warnings. He says between January and mid-April this year, 33 drivers received counselling, while 1,023 drivers were issued first warnings, 273 second warnings, and 153 final warnings.
He adds LTA gives drivers every opportunity to change their behaviour, but when these opportunities are ignored, and drivers continue to endanger lives, they must act decisively.
Rokosawa says reckless driving behaviours include excessive speeding, improper overtaking and turning, dangerous and careless driving, and driving while fatigued. He says as of 6th May 2025, 18 people have lost their lives in roads accidents compared to 19 during the same period last year – with speeding, improper overtaking and pedestrian at fault listed as the main causes of fatalities on our roads.
Rokosawa says speeding remains the leading cause of fatalities, followed closely by dangerous driving and improper overtaking. He adds these are avoidable tragedies, and the responsibility lies with each driver. The CEO says driving is a privilege, not a right, and when that privilege is abused, it endangers not only the driver but every other person on the road.
He says the Authority continues to work closely with the Fiji Police Force and other stakeholders to carry out joint operations, awareness campaigns, and community outreach activities aimed at promoting responsible driving habits.
Rokosawa says their road safety team remains active on the ground, delivering education and guidance to communities, schools and organisations on road safety measures for drivers, pedestrians and passengers.
The CEO calls on all road users to take ownership of their actions behind the wheel and to make road safety a shared priority.
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