In the past year, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has revoked 114 driver’s licenses and suspended 13 others, according to Acting CEO Irimaia Rokosawa. As of August 27, the total number of road fatalities has reached 38, a significant decrease from the 62 fatalities reported during the same period last year.
Despite the decline, Rokosawa emphasized that every life lost is a tragedy, and the LTA, in coordination with the Fiji Police Force and other crucial stakeholders, remains dedicated to the mission of reducing road deaths and ensuring the safety of all individuals on Fijian roads.
“Road fatalities are often the result of preventable actions such as speeding, drunk driving, pedestrian carelessness, and other irresponsible driving behaviors,” he remarked.
He highlighted that each statistic signals a life that has been lost, prompting the LTA to strengthen its initiatives during National Road Safety Week to promote widespread awareness about the critical importance of following road safety regulations.
The Authority’s teams focused on road safety education and enforcement have been working diligently to ensure that safety messages reach all sectors of the community.
Through a combination of community outreach, educational campaigns, and rigorous enforcement actions, these teams emphasize that road safety is a collective responsibility shared by everyone—pedestrians, passengers, and drivers alike.
Rokosawa mentioned that National Road Safety Week is an essential opportunity to collaborate with all stakeholders in the effort to reduce road accidents. Together with the Fiji Police Force, the LTA is stressing the need to understand the repercussions of unsafe driving and the significance of shared responsibility regarding road safety.
While educating the public is a vital aspect of the LTA’s approach, Rokosawa underscored that enforcement plays a crucial role in discouraging dangerous driving habits. The Authority has shown its dedication to holding offenders accountable through its showcause process.