A tragic accident has resulted in the death of an 80-year-old man, while another driver has been hospitalized following their vehicles leaving the roadway and landing in a ditch. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mitieli Divuana reported that both drivers were attempting to overtake one another when the incident occurred. The elderly victim, who was from Suva, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Navua Hospital, while the other driver remains in stable condition.
In light of this incident, SSP Divuana expressed concern regarding the increasing number of road accidents and fatalities in recent days. Over the past week, three fatalities have been recorded, alongside a series of serious accidents involving pedestrians. The SSP also noted another fatal accident in Wainadoi, Navua, highlighting the ongoing risk on the roads.
Divuana emphasized that many accidents could be prevented and stressed the importance of adhering to speed limits, despite ongoing campaigns aimed at raising awareness of road safety. He pointed out that parents and guardians should lead by example in discussing and practicing safe road behavior with their children.
As a positive note, the national road death toll currently stands at 48, a decrease from 78 during the same period last year. This decline indicates that efforts in road safety awareness may be starting to have a positive impact, though continued vigilance and a cultural shift towards safer driving practices are necessary to reduce accidents further.
The importance of road safety cannot be overstated, as every individual has a role to play in creating a safer driving environment. By fostering a culture of responsibility and caution on the roads, communities can work towards significantly reducing tragic accidents in the future.
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