Speeding, dangerous and careless driving, drunk driving, driver fatigue and pedestrians at fault continue to top the list of deaths on our roads.
This has been highlighted by the Land Transport Authority Acting Chief Executive Officer Irimaia Rokosawa who says this is a concerning number especially as we head into the festive season, the new year and back-to-school preparations that follow.
He says as of 15th November this year, the current number of road deaths is 72 compared to 38 for the same period last year whereby 33 fatalities were caused by speeding, 10 fatalities caused by dangerous driving, 10 fatalities by pedestrians at fault, 3 by drunkard pedestrians, 4 fatalities from drink driving, 4 fatalities from driver fatigue, 3 fatalities from improper overtaking, 2 fatalities from careless driving and 3 fatalities from hit and run cases, which are still being investigated.
Rokosawa says the Authority has already rolled out its road safety education and awareness campaigns in communities, schools and the public space for the festive season through various partnerships with the media, private and public sectors which include visitations to villages, communities, settlements and outer islands under community and school visits programme, awareness, advocacy work through the media.
He says LTA has also conducted public outreach programmes at festivals, public events, university open days and careers fairs to reach the wider population and their roadside awareness in partnership with corporate entities who share the same vision of keeping all Fijians safe on our roads have also been a boost in terms of creating awareness on compliance and adherence of road safety rules among drivers, pedestrians and passengers. The Acting Chief Executive Officer further says LTA will beef up joint operations with the Fiji Police Force at various checkpoints around the country and strengthen community and public outreach to ensure road safety is a priority across all levels of society which is a vital measure to mitigate the risks and dangers of bad driving habits and behaviour on our roads.
He also highlighted that LTA will tighten internal controls and audits on the issuance of driver's licences and driving schools.
