Emphasizing road safety awareness among drivers is crucial in decreasing the number of deadly accidents. This message was conveyed by Maritino Nemani, the executive chair of the Accident Compensation Commission Fiji (ACCF) and the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Employment, during a presentation to the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs.
Mr. Nemani highlighted that waiting to address road safety issues until after accidents have occurred is not as effective as establishing proactive measures. He stated, “One of the key preventative measures is around the awareness of safety on the roads for drivers.” He stressed the importance of preventing fatalities instead of reacting only after tragedies occur, especially considering that a new board was created in April this year to tackle these issues.
Since the board’s formation, ACCF has teamed up with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to initiate a range of vigorous and comprehensive road safety campaigns. This partnership aims to boost public awareness and promote safer driving habits.
He mentioned that in the past, a road and safety council was in place to manage resources and funding efficiently. Recently, ACCF has collaborated with LTA to intensify their campaigning efforts. Despite facing challenges from limited resources, ACCF continues to work hard with LTA to advance these initiatives.
Mr. Nemani noted, “I think prevention is better than cure, and raising awareness on the roads is vital. We have tried to reinforce this knowledge so that drivers understand their responsibilities, helping to prevent fatalities rather than reacting after accidents occur.”