Motorists who disregard traffic laws will encounter stricter penalties as authorities take decisive measures to address a rising road safety crisis that resulted in 83 fatalities last year. The urgency of this issue has been emphasized by Land Transport Authority Chief Executive Irimaia Rokosawa, who highlighted the implementation of increased fines, more extensive use of speed cameras, and stricter licensing regulations.
The Land Transport Authority reports that fatalities from road accidents remain a significant concern, with speeding and reckless driving identified as the leading traffic offenses. Police Commissioner Rusiate Tudravu pointed out that dangerous behavior on the roads persists despite ongoing efforts to raise public awareness about road safety.
“The prevalent offenses we are seeing at the top of our traffic violations are alarming,” Tudravu stated. He urged drivers to be more mindful in their conduct, stressing the importance of adhering to traffic laws.
New statistics from the Fiji Police Force, presented during the National Transport Infrastructure Consultative Forum, revealed that the previous year was the deadliest on record, with 83 confirmed fatalities, representing a stark increase from the 66 fatalities recorded the prior year. Rokosawa noted that this upward trend demands urgent action, as speeding continues to be the primary cause of fatal accidents.
While the installation of static speed cameras has led to improved compliance in certain areas, Rokosawa indicated that many drivers still exceed speed limits in locations without such surveillance. “Drivers tend to obey speed limits near static cameras, yet they frequently speed in areas that lack monitoring,” he explained.
In response to the data, the Cabinet approved increased speeding fines last October, recognizing that past penalties had failed to effectively deter reckless driving. “Current penalties seem more like an occupational hazard rather than a true deterrent,” Rokosawa observed. Alongside raising fines, the Land Transport Authority is deploying portable speed cameras and modifying provisional licensing regulations, which include longer penalty durations for violations and stricter consequences for repeat offenders.
Despite these enhanced enforcement measures, authorities maintain that a collective effort is needed to truly mitigate road fatalities. They emphasize that lives will continue to be at risk unless drivers take personal responsibility and actively comply with road regulations. The hope is that with these new measures, there can be a significant improvement in road safety and a reduction in tragic accidents.
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