There aren’t clear objective guidelines to determine how much kava is too much for safe driving, according to the Land Transport Authority.
The authority’s observation comes in response to Assistant Minister Sakiusa Tubuna who had raised concerns about the potential link between excessive kava consumption and road accidents.
During discussions on the LTA’s 2019-2022 annual reports, Mr Tubuna raised the issue of kava’s possible impact on driver safety.
“We acknowledge the potential impact that may have on drivers. However, we currently do not have specific evidence or data to substantiate this,” the LTA said.
“Our understanding comes from feedback shared by participants of the Defensive Driving Course (DDC), who offer insights based on their personal experiences.”
The LTA said these insights, derived from personal experiences, have helped shape community education initiatives.
The authority acknowledged the challenges in regulating kava consumption, noting the absence of objective measures to determine a safe threshold for drivers.
It indicated that existing regulations were more difficult to enforce compared to those governing alcohol consumption.
“However, the road safety education team actively addresses this matter through community awareness programs, as well as media outreach via print media, TV and radio as well as through our social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and X (Twitter).”
“While the Land Transport Authority is primarily responsible for establishing standards for the registration and licensing of vehicles and drivers, as well as developing effective enforcement strategies that prioritise road safety and environmental protection, we recognise the importance of addressing this issue.”
Moving forward, the LTA plans to collaborate with the Fiji police to enhance national awareness about the risks of excessive kava consumption, underscoring their commitment to public safety on the roads.
