A rigorous enforcement initiative aimed at improving road safety will commence from March through April as part of a Joint Enforcement Operation Order signed by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Fiji Police Force. This initiative comes in response to the need for heightened vigilance during a peak travel period that coincides with school sporting events, national festivities, and increased inter-island and inter-city movement.
The enforcement campaign will unfold in two stages. The first will take place from March 1 to March 31, concentrating on monitoring illegal Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and ensuring that buses adhere to e-ticketing regulations. The second stage, running from April 1 to April 30, will broaden its scope to include rigorous checks across all major highways in every division.
Irimaia Rokosawa, the LTA’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasized that these actions are intended to diminish accidents, injuries, and fatalities, while instilling a sense of shared responsibility regarding road safety among all road users. He expressed concerns over some alarming trends in driver behavior, particularly among public service vehicle drivers, which include overloading, reckless driving, speeding, and dangerous overtaking maneuvers. Such actions not only jeopardize lives but also erode public trust in transportation safety.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Kasiano Vusonilawe, echoed the commitment to uphold the law, highlighting the importance of integrity and compliance among enforcement officers during this operation. He stressed that corruption has no place within the law enforcement duties over these critical months.
The collaborative effort between the LTA and the Police Force aims to implement comprehensive compliance checks on drivers and vehicles, reinforcing the message that road safety is a collective duty. With a zero-tolerance policy towards violations, both agencies are determined to foster a safer driving environment for all. This proactive approach not only targets immediate violations but also seeks to cultivate a long-term culture of safety and responsibility on the roads.
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