It is reassuring to know that police operations will be intensified from this week as the country heads into the festive season, a time traditionally marked by increased travel, social gatherings and celebrations.
With Christmas and the New Year around the corner, the heightened police presence comes as a timely reminder that safety must remain at the centre of our festivities.
Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu has confirmed that operations will be strengthened during the peak period from December 15, 2025, to January 15, 2026. This month-long focus, he said, would prioritise the management of public gatherings and heightened vigilance on the roads. It is a necessary move, given the sharp rise in traffic volumes and late-night activities that typically accompany the holiday season.
As these operations ramp up, we are once again reminded of the importance of road safety, especially at a time when heavy rain is affecting many parts of the country. Wet roads, poor visibility and the risk of flash flooding significantly increase the likelihood of accidents.
These are not abstract risks. They are real dangers that claim real lives every year.
Road accidents kill. Some deaths are horrific, leaving families traumatised and, in some cases, unable to immediately identify their loved ones. Others survive but are left permanently scarred, missing limbs, paralysed, disfigured or confined to a bed for the rest of their lives. These are not exaggerations. They are the harsh realities of road crashes that happen far too often.
And the uncomfortable truth is this. Many road accidents happen because we allow them to happen.
Drink driving remains one of the most serious concerns. It tells a troubling story of motorists who show little regard for the safety of others. Such behaviour reflects a careless and reckless attitude, one that ignores the devastating impact a poor decision can have on families, friends and communities. Alcohol dulls judgement, lowers inhibitions and encourages risk-taking. When mixed with speed, it becomes a lethal combination.
Those who choose to drink and drive often fail to consider the consequences beyond themselves. They do not see the grieving family left behind, the children who lose a parent, or the loved ones whose lives are forever altered. Every person injured or killed on our roads had plans, dreams and aspirations. They were someone’s child, parent, guardian or friend, loved and cherished, with a life that mattered.
This is why we make this special plea: think before you get behind the wheel. Be considerate. Think about your own safety, the wellbeing of your loved ones, and the lives of other road users. If you are drinking, do not drive. Arrange a sober driver, take alternative transport, or simply wait. The inconvenience of doing so is nothing compared to the lifelong consequences of a fatal decision.
Life is fragile. It truly hangs by a thread. We are given just one life, and it should be lived fully, not cut short or permanently diminished by preventable tragedy. Driving responsibly is a legal obligation as well as a moral one.
As the police raise their operational preparedness, enforcement alone will not be enough. Road safety is a shared responsibility.
Each of us must play our part to ensure that every Fijian can enjoy the Christmas break safely, return home to loved ones, and welcome the New Year without grief or regret.
Let this festive season be remembered for celebration.
