Despite repeated warnings and road safety campaigns, motorists continue to disregard basic traffic rules, putting innocent lives at risk and leaving families to suffer the devastating consequences.
Accident Compensation Commission Fiji (ACCF) executive chairman Maritino Nemani made the comments following a tragic head-on collision along the Queens Highway near Naboro that claimed the lives of two 26-year-old men, including an off-duty police officer and a salesman from Navua.
According to preliminary information released by the Fiji Police Force, one of the drivers allegedly overtook several vehicles across double lines before the collision.
Police investigations are continuing.
Mr Nemani said the tragedy highlighted the consequences of motorists failing to observe basic road safety rules.
“Overtaking on double lines is prohibited for a reason. It is one of the most basic rules every licensed driver is expected to understand and follow,” he said.
“Yet we continue to see lives lost in circumstances where greater patience and respect for road rules could have prevented tragedy.”
He stressed that road markings, speed limits and traffic regulations were not suggestions but essential safeguards designed to protect road users.
“Every driver has a responsibility to obey the law and consider the safety of others. Saving a few seconds by attempting a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre is simply not worth the risk of losing a human life.”
Mr Nemani said the deaths of the two young men were particularly heartbreaking.
“These young men had their entire lives ahead of them. Their families are now left grieving, and no amount of compensation can ever replace a life lost.”
He expressed frustration that dangerous driving continued despite repeated warnings from authorities.
“We cannot have Police officers constantly issuing warnings, road safety authorities conducting awareness campaigns and families burying their loved ones, only for the same dangerous behaviour to continue.”
Mr Nemani urged motorists to exercise patience, obey road markings and speed limits, and recognise that their decisions behind the wheel could have irreversible consequences.
He said road safety ultimately began with personal responsibility and consideration for everyone sharing Fiji’s roads.
