An 80-year-old man has tragically lost his life while another individual has been hospitalized following a serious car accident. The incident occurred when both drivers attempted to overtake each other, resulting in their vehicles veering off the road and into a ditch. The older man, a resident of Suva, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Navua Hospital, while the other driver is currently in stable condition.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mitieli Divuana expressed concern regarding the increasing number of road accidents, highlighting that in the past eight days alone, three fatalities have occurred, along with several serious accidents that involved pedestrians. SSP Divuana also mentioned another fatal accident that took place in Wainadoi, where a driver lost their life in a collision between two vehicles.
The SSP noted that despite ongoing campaigns through billboards, media, and social media aimed at promoting road safety, accidents attributed to speeding persist. He also emphasized the troubling behavior of pedestrians, calling for parents and guardians to lead by example and engage in discussions about road safety with their children while demonstrating proper safety measures themselves.
Encouragingly, while the situation remains dire, the national road death toll is currently at 48, a significant decrease from 78 during the same period last year. This statistic offers a glimmer of hope that awareness and education are having a positive impact on road safety.
In light of recent events, it’s crucial for all road users to heed safety reminders and practice caution to ensure their well-being and that of others on the road. Together, collective vigilance can lead to safer roadways for everyone.
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