The Land Transport Amendment Bill 2025 received unanimous approval in Parliament, aiming to enhance road safety through significant changes to the licensing framework for provisional drivers. A key feature of this bill is the introduction of a two-step provisional licensing system, labeled P1 and P2. This structured approach is designed to improve driver monitoring and ensure that only responsible drivers advance to full licensing.
Transport Minister Ro Filipe Tuisawau emphasized the bill’s role in achieving the government’s goal to reduce road fatalities by 50% between 2025 and 2029. The amendments allow the Land Transport Authority (LTA) greater flexibility in managing repeat provisional offenders and instilling a culture of safe driving. By requiring a clean record during the P1 phase before progressing to P2, this extended provisional period of three years aims to cultivate safer driving habits.
Support for the bill was also expressed by Assistant Minister for Public Works and Transport, Naisa Tuinaceva, who described it as a life-saving measure. He highlighted the importance of responsibility among drivers, stating that driving is a privilege that comes with the duty to protect others on the road.
In addition to the licensing changes, there is a call for enhancing driver education, notably the inclusion of night driving lessons in training programs. Opposition Member Joseph Naidu pointed out that current training focuses only on daytime driving, leaving many new drivers unprepared for nighttime challenges, which could pose significant risks.
The overall objective of the Land Transport Amendment Bill 2025 is to foster a safer driving environment and instill safe driving practices among individuals who hold provisional licenses. The proactive measures reflected in this bill, along with the enduring commitment of the LTA to uphold a zero-tolerance policy towards reckless driving, paint a hopeful picture for the future of road safety in Fiji. The legislative changes are a significant step towards a culture of accountability and responsible driving, ultimately aiming to reduce the incidence of traffic accidents and enhance the safety for all road users.
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