Every year we talk about road safety. We discuss safety issues at length. We talk about statistics including the death toll. Then we talk about things we should do to stay safe on our roads.
We talk about a lot of things that aren’t new at all.
In fact, sometimes you’d wonder whether we have a record on permanent replay mode. It kind of feels that way to some extent.
Yet despite all the big talk, the big plans and strategies, accidents continue to happen, and people die sometimes!
It is a fact of life. Accidents will happen because we allow them.
There may be human error, negligence or a momentary lapse of judgment!
However, we talk so much, then we hit a low note, before we jump up and down again when someone dies!
It is in our best interest though that we continue to talk about this, plan for this, and strategise around prevention.
It is important that we continue to highlight road safety, with the hope that because it is there in front of people, that we can save lives!
The national road death toll stands at 23, the same figure this time last year following the death of a man in a car crash near Kalokolevu Village outside Lami last week.
The man, in his 20s, was driving near the village when he lost control of his vehicle, causing it to veer off the road.
The Fiji Police Force said the driver and two passengers were rushed to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital where he died.
The other two victims were admitted and were in stable condition.
In a separate accident, a man in his 30s, died in a motor vehicle accident on Suva’s Rewa St. The victim was a passenger in a vehicle driven by a man in his 50s.
“It is alleged the suspect made a sudden U-turn whereby their vehicle collided with an oncoming vehicle,” police said.
“The victim, suspect and a second passenger were rushed to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital where the victim was pronounced dead on arrival. The suspect and the second passenger remain admitted as investigations continue.”
Again, we say, let’s continue talking about road safety. Let’s plan our journey, have enough rest before making long trips, and adhere to road rules. Let’s appreciate others using our roads, try not to use mobile phones while driving, and use speed limits as a guide when travelling.
The cost of accidents on productivity is massive and negatively impacts our nation.
So let’s cut out complacency. Let’s stop treating road accidents as a seasonal topic! Let’s stop making excuses! Let’s watch our egos when driving, cut out road rage if we are inclined to lean that way often, and let’s plan to arrive safely at our destinations!
