LTA urges people to exercise caution during Easter

The Land Transport Authority is urging all road users to exercise extreme caution and responsibility during the long Easter weekend, as traffic volumes are expected to increase significantly across the country.

LTA Chief Executive Officer Irimaia Rokosawa says speeding, fatigue, drunk driving and reckless driving habits were major contributing factors to recent fatal and serious accidents on our roads.

He says Easter is a time for reflection, family, and faith — but for many, it has also become a time of tragedy because of irresponsible decisions made on our roads.

Rokosawa says lives can be lost in a split second so drivers, passengers, and pedestrians need to play their part, and no celebration is worth risking people’s safety.

The CEO also says that the Authority’s enforcement team would conduct joint road operations throughout the Easter break with the Fiji Police Force and municipal councils.

He says operations will include random breathalyzer tests, speed checks, vehicle inspections, and the monitoring of dangerous driving behaviour.

Rokosawa says people are more likely to think twice before breaking the law when they know there is active enforcement.

The CEO has also stressed on the importance of planning ahead and being mindful of fatigue, especially for those travelling long distances.

He says drivers should rest before driving, take breaks during long trips, they should not overload vehicles, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs

The Authority is also calling out to all the public transport drivers and operators to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and operated according to road laws and safety standards.

He says LTA is also monitoring PSV drivers closely and will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against drivers or operators who disregard safety regulations.

Rokosawa has highlighted that the number of lives lost on Fiji’s roads in recent weeks could have been avoided with better judgement and responsible driving.

He says some drivers continue to believe accidents won’t happen to them but that mindset must change as no one is invincible behind the wheel.

He is also urging members of the public to assist LTA by reporting dangerous or reckless driving incidents.