LTA issues stern warning to PSV drivers after recent spate of fatal road accidents

The Land Transport Authority has issued a stern warning to all Public Service Vehicle drivers that they will come down hard on them if they continue to blatantly ignore road safety rules and risk the lives of pedestrians and other road users.

This comes after the recent spate of bus accidents that have claimed the lives of innocent pedestrians.

LTA Acting CEO Irimaia Rokosawa says the Authority will not hesitate to take reckless and irresponsible drivers to task if they threaten public safety on Fiji’s roads.

Rokosawa says as mentioned by the Minister for Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau in Parliament in September, the LTA is lobbying for an increase in traffic fines and the introduction of demerit points to be issued by the LTA as a deterrent to the alarming spike in road fatalities.

He says it is unfortunate that some drivers continue to disregard road safety rules and as seen with the recent fatalities, the impact is devastating.

He adds the Authority will continue to strengthen its focus and resources on driver licensing testing and issuance, increase road safety education and awareness and roadside enforcement, as well as vehicle inspections to counter the upsurge in road fatalities.

Rokosawa reiterated the need for the mandatory Defensive Driving Course (DDC) training for Group 2 Driver Licence holders noting the alarming trend in accidents and road fatalities that these Group 2 license holders are involved in.

He says the escalation to the next class of Driver Licence will be strictly monitored by the LTA.

Rokosawa says the LTA will be analysing the Driver Traffic Infringement Notice history including the driving history of the applicant before approving the issuance of a higher class of Driver Licence.

In addition to this, LTA would also focus on smart tactics by identifying high-risk areas and targeting black spots for safety-related offences such as exceeding the speed limits, dangerous or careless driving, driving while using mobile phones, failure to wear seat belts, driving a PSV without a valid PSV permit and driving while under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs.