LTA to tighten internal controls when issuing drivers licence and on driving schools

Following the rising number of fatal accidents this year, the Land Transport Authority says they will tighten internal controls and audits on the issuance of drivers licence and on driving schools.

72 people have lost their lives in road accidents so far this year compared to 38 last year.

LTA board chairman Inosi Kuridrani says the increasing rate of vehicle and pedestrian accidents on Fiji’s roads is alarming as some drivers continue to ignore road safety rules and engage in bad driving habits at the expense of precious life.

While expressing his condolences to those who have lost loved ones on our roads in recent weeks, Kuridrani says it is an unbearable loss that no one wishes on another.

He says rest assured, the LTA will be intensifying current efforts during the festive season to curb this dangerous trend of reckless driving behaviour and blatant disregard for the safety of the public on the roads.

Kuridrani says this festive season, the LTA would increase awareness on road safety and enforcement of rules and standards in the public space while strongly advocating for drivers, pedestrians and passengers to take heed of road safety advisories and avoid reckless driving behaviours.

The chairman further says in October this year, LTA initiated a crucial public consultation with stakeholders and members of the public to discuss several significant regulatory changes aimed at promoting road safety and enhancing driver licence standards.

He says these discussions included proposed changes encompassing the provisional driver licence conditions for P1 and P2 licence holders, demerit points, the criteria for obtaining a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) driver licence, and the introduction of a mandatory Defensive Driving Course for class 2 full driver licence holders.

Kuridrani says interagency support from key stakeholders is also vital in creating widespread awareness on responsible driving, pedestrian and passenger behaviours on the road.

He says they are urging all drivers to apply defensive driving techniques, which is essentially driving in a manner that utilises safe driving tactics to address identified dangers in a predictable manner.

Kuridrani says these approaches go well beyond instruction on basic traffic laws and procedures.

He says they also need to foster a change in mindset, to value life and do right by following and adhering to road safety rules.

Kuridrani says LTA will not hesitate to take reckless drivers to task for continuously endangering the lives of others on the roads.

The board chairman has assured the public that LTA was steadfast in its commitment to safety, accessibility and responsiveness in the transportation sector.