The increasing rate of vehicle and pedestrian accidents on Fiji’s roads is alarming with 72 fatalities so far compared with 38 for the same period last year, says Land Transport Authority board chairman Inosi Kuridrani.
The LTA has set its plans to tighten internal controls and audits on the issuing of drivers’ licences and driving schools.
Mr Kuridrani said some drivers continued to ignore road safety rules and engaged in bad driving habits at the expense of precious lives.
“We express our condolences to those who have lost loved ones on our roads in recent weeks,” he said. “It is an unbearable loss that no one wishes on another.
“Be rest assured, the LTA will be intensifying current efforts during the festive season to curb this dangerous trend of reckless driving behaviour and blatant disregard for the safety of the public on our roads.”
Mr Kuridrani added that the LTA would increase awareness on road safety and enforcement of rules and standards in the public space, strongly advocating for drivers, pedestrians and passengers to take heed of road safety advisories and avoid reckless driving behaviour.
“In October this year, LTA initiated a crucial public consultation with stakeholders and members of the public to discuss several significant regulatory changes aimed at promoting road safety and enhancing driver licence standards,” he said.
“These discussions included proposed changes encompassing the provisional driver licence conditions for P1 and P2 licence holders, demerit points, the criteria for obtaining a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) driver licence, and the introduction of a mandatory Defensive Driving Course for class 2 full driver licence holders.”
