Jaywalking is yet again emerging as a serious road safety concern in Fiji, with authorities warning that unsafe pedestrian behaviour is contributing to injuries and fatalities.

The Fiji Police Force said pedestrians who cross outside designated zebra crossings or ignore traffic signals are placing themselves and motorists at significant risk, particularly in busy urban areas.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations Kasiano Vusonilawe acknowledged that enforcement responsibilities require closer coordination.

“That role was looked after by the land transport authority, so that had to be discussed with us to enforce that again on the ground because I am sure the people they have understood.”

While speeding remains a leading cause of road deaths, authorities say pedestrian non-compliance is also contributing to congestion, near misses and fatal incidents.

Police are now considering stricter enforcement to ensure pedestrians use marked crossings and obey traffic lights.

“Second they have to use the greenlight which approves them or tells them its okay for us to cross over and that has been done but for those in Jaywalking we have to discuss that with LTA within this two months and its one of the things that we have to enforce on the ground so that people know that there’s a law in place.”

The Land Transport Authority has echoed the warning, stressing that crossing busy roads outside designated areas is extremely dangerous.

LTA Chief Executive Irimaia Rokosawa said improving road safety must begin at home.

“The safety of our children on the roads depends on us, in continuously raising road safety awareness in their households. Most times we only speak and vent on social media when accidents happen which is too late.”

Authorities are reminding both drivers and pedestrians that road safety is a shared responsibility and that following the rules can help prevent avoidable tragedies.

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