Group two driving license holders topped the number of road accidents with 53 per cent of fatal crashes so far this year and the Land Transport Authority has considered an increase in traffic fines as a deterrent.
From August 2022 to the end of July 2023, a total of 98,918 camera Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) were issued by LTA and in the same period 133,664 vehicles were intercepted and 6389 defect orders issued.
In addition, about 70 per cent of deaths on our roads are caused by speeding, about 15 per cent are caused by road conditions and 10 per cent are due to poor road markings and traffic signs.
In responding to FijiFirst member Naisa Tuinaceva’s question raised in Parliament last week about the shocking death toll on our roads, Minister for Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau said the LTA had assessed the alarming trend and there was a spike in Group 2 driving license holders involved in accidents or road fatalities from the statistics provided.
“From January 2023 to May 2023, the LTA did a driver profiling analysis and noted that 53 per cent of fatal crashes involved private Class 2 vehicles,” he said.
“Poor driving behaviour on Fiji’s roads has led to a spike in road fatalities as mentioned and to address this alarming spike, LTA is considering an increase in traffic fines as a deterrent moving forward.
“In terms of the figures as mentioned, the current death toll stands at 60 as of 24th August, 2023 compared to 21. The enforcement by LTA, police and stakeholders continues to curb illegal activities and also preventative measures.”
Ro Filipe said there was a need for inclusion of road safety awareness through various stakeholders.
“We will continue to advocate for that and we are also working with other relevant agencies in the process of reconvening the technical working group on road safety,” he said.
“I believe with all road users, drivers, passengers and pedestrians we are to observe and adhere to road laws and also in terms of road safety which is everyone’s responsibility.”
