News

Speeding identified as leading cause of road fatalities

October 14, 2019 12:50 pm

Speeding and drunk driving are the leading causes of fatal accidents on Fiji’s roads.

This comes as a number of serious accidents have happened over the last few days with the latest accident in Naboutini, Serua that claimed the life of a 48-year-old man and leaving a second victim in critical condition.

Police Spokesperson, Ana Naisoro says it is a serious concern for people and authorities that accidents on our roads are occurring daily, claiming innocent lives and leaving others in a critical medical condition.

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Naisoro adds the number of advisories and awareness messages given by Police and law enforcement agencies continue to be taken lightly.

“We continue to issue the advisories but at the end of the day it’s on the drivers, at the end of the day it’s on the pedestrians, at the end of the day it’s their responsibility. So that people understand that road safety is not just for Police or law enforcement to be monitoring, it’s everybody, everybody has a part to play.”

She stressed that another issue that is not taken seriously that has also led to a number of accidents is driver fatigue.

Naisoro says Police are working closely with the Land Transport Authority in ensuring there are traffic officers in road spots prone to speeding.

She adds that the onus is on motorists and pedestrians to follow road rules and speed limits to help prevent accidents and the senseless loss of lives.

The road death toll currently stands at 45 compared to 59 for the same period last year.