A resident of Nausori, Krishneel Nair, is questioning the police’s decision to charge an officer who crashed a rental vehicle into his property only with “careless driving,” despite documentation suggesting the officer was speeding at more than twice the legal limit. The incident, which occurred on September 10 two years ago, resulted in extensive damage to Nair’s front gate.
GPS data from the rental company indicated that the officer was driving at around 126 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. Nair expressed frustration over the police’s rationale for not pursuing more serious charges, such as “dangerous driving,” stating that the guidelines seem unreasonable, as they only consider such charges if injuries or fatalities occur. According to a police report, the officer was interviewed and received a traffic infringement notice, but the Assistant Commissioner of Police of Internal Affairs later closed the case due to “insufficient evidence” for serious charges.
Nair raised concerns about reckless driving on Waila Rd, noting a history of dangerous incidents, including at least two fatalities over the past decade. He has been advocating for road safety improvements, such as the installation of speed humps, in hopes of preventing further accidents. Despite his efforts to contact the Fiji Roads Authority, the Land Transport Authority, and the Police Commissioner’s office, he claims he has not received any responses.
In light of the ongoing issue of reckless driving in Fiji, highlighted by other recent concerns regarding road safety, including fatal accidents linked to speeding and negligence, authorities are being urged to take more decisive actions. There has been growing advocacy for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and better education on safe driving practices to foster a culture of responsibility on the roads.
As Nair’s plight underscores, consistent advocacy for road safety measures can potentially lead to improvements that protect the community and save lives. The collective responsibility to maintain road safety cannot be overstated, with community members’ calls for action being vital in initiating change.
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