The former Chief Executive Officer of the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in Fiji, Naisa Tuinaceva, has raised alarm about the country’s roads, calling them “killing fields” following a series of tragic road accidents in recent years. In a parliamentary session this week, Tuinaceva highlighted several devastating incidents, including the deaths of a 13-year-old boy in Tacirua, an eight-year-old girl while crossing the road with her father, and a young man in Sigatoka.
Tuinaceva lamented the irreversible loss of young lives, stating that no compensation can mend the pain caused to families affected by such tragedies. He emphasized the need to focus not just on compensating victims but on preventing future incidents.
He pointed out that the issue extends beyond mere speeding; it involves intentional negligence. Tuinaceva expressed concern about society’s tolerance for reckless driving behaviors and questioned the moral compass of a community that allows such disregard for human life.
Statistics reveal that many road accidents involve young drivers, as well as public and heavy commercial vehicles, with speeding being a notable contributing factor. Tuinaceva argued that this is a reflection of a broader systemic failure to respect life and enforce the law.
He insisted that driver education must evolve, stressing the importance of embedding concepts of responsibility, respect, and the sanctity of life into driving programs. There is an urgent need to enhance road safety initiatives, enforce stricter punishments for reckless driving, and clearly communicate that endangering lives is a serious crime.
In conclusion, Tuinaceva’s remarks serve as a sobering reminder of the urgent reforms needed in Fiji’s approach to road safety. By fostering a culture of respect for human life on the roads, there is hope for safer communities and a reduction in tragic road incidents.
Summary: Naisa Tuinaceva, former LTA CEO, criticized Fiji’s road conditions as “killing fields” due to numerous tragic accidents. He called for systemic changes in driver education and stricter enforcement of road safety laws, emphasizing that reckless driving is a serious crime that needs to be addressed to safeguard lives.
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