Opposition Member of Parliament Jone Usamate has raised serious concerns about the conduct of government vehicle drivers on Fiji’s roads, labeling them as major contributors to traffic safety issues. During a recent session in Parliament, Usamate highlighted the urgency of addressing road accidents, despite a slight decrease in overall incidents.
Usamate asserted that all drivers, particularly those in government roles, need to be held accountable for their actions behind the wheel. He remarked, “Government drivers can be quite careless,” underscoring the need for stricter training for provisional drivers to mitigate reckless driving behaviors. His comments came in anticipation of a parliamentary debate on the Lands Transport Amendment Bill, which seeks to tackle the growing issue of road accidents.
He pointed out that improper behaviors, such as speeding and unsafe overtaking by government vehicles, pose significant dangers to public safety. Usamate criticized the misuse of rotating flashing lights by these vehicles during non-emergency situations as a violation of road regulations. Furthermore, he alleged that government vehicles are often improperly stored at private homes and community police stations instead of designated governmental garages, which wastes public resources.
These concerns echo similar sentiments raised by former Land Transport Authority CEO Naisa Tuinaceva, who recently described Fiji’s roads as “killing fields” due to the uptick in serious road accidents. Tuinaceva emphasized the need for a collective social response to reinforce safe driving practices, advocating that carelessness on the road should be treated as a serious offense.
The urgency to unite for road safety improvements is becoming increasingly recognized within Fiji. By addressing the behavior of all drivers—especially those representing government transportation—there is hope for a future where road safety is prioritized, potentially saving lives and fostering a culture of responsibility among all road users. This ongoing dialogue suggests a collective movement towards better road safety standards, reflecting a societal commitment to protecting human life on the roads.
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