The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is set to enhance Fiji’s road safety by installing ten new speed cameras and fixing any malfunctioning existing cameras. This initiative aims to curb reckless driving and improve adherence to traffic laws. Assistant Transport Minister Naisa Tuinaceva highlighted the importance of these measures, stressing that speed cameras are instrumental in diminishing the occurrence of accidents.
The minister mentioned ambitious goals, targeting a 50 percent reduction in vehicle accidents and a 40 percent decrease in fatalities by 2025. He noted that speeding consistently ranks as the top traffic violation, emphasizing that manpower alone is insufficient to tackle this issue, hence the need for additional cameras.
LTA Board Chair Inosi Kuridrani echoed these sentiments, asserting that speed cameras have proven effective in encouraging drivers to adhere to speed limits. Data indicates that speed limit violations decrease significantly in areas where cameras are present. He emphasized the cameras’ portability and their capacity to be deployed in various locations across the country, ensuring vigilance among drivers.
This proactive approach mirrors prior announcements by the LTA regarding the trial use of portable speed cameras designed to improve traffic enforcement and reduce accidents. These earlier efforts aimed to tackle the persistent issue of speeding, which accounted for nearly 40 percent of the 66 road fatalities recorded last year.
Collectively, these initiatives represent a strong commitment to fostering safer driving conditions, promoting responsible behavior on the roads, and ultimately, protecting lives in Fiji. With the right measures and public awareness, there is hope for a future where road safety becomes a shared responsibility and fatal incidents can be significantly reduced.
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