The Assistant Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport, Hon. Naisa Tatau Tuinaceva has issued a stern call for drivers to change their attitudes and behaviours on the road, warning that the carnage will continue unless motorists take greater personal responsibility.
While the Government continues to strengthen systems to improve road safety, including the installation of speed cameras, increased enforcement, and plans for stiffer penalties, Hon. Tuinaceva emphasised that real safety begins with drivers themselves.
“Technology and enforcement can only go so far. Unless drivers commit to safe and responsible behaviour, the accidents, the injuries, and the loss of life will continue,” he said.
“This is a call to all drivers, slow down, protect your lives and the lives of others!”
Speeding remains the single greatest cause of fatal road crashes in Fiji. Despite repeated warnings, statistics show that excessive speed is still claiming lives and devastating families.
“Drivers need to get off the speed ‘drug’. Speed kills — it destroys lives, families, and futures,” Hon. Tuinaceva said. “If we are serious about saving lives, we must all commit to the sanctity of life and drive with discipline and respect for others on the road.”
To support safer roads, the Government is installing:
(1) 14 static speed cameras that will rotate across 31 high-risk sites, along with
(2) 12 portable cameras distributed across the Central (4), Western (5), and Northern (3) divisions.
These will help deter reckless driving and enforce compliance.
At the same time, the Ministry, in partnership with the Land Transport Authority (LTA), is reviewing penalties for speeding and traffic offences to ensure that sanctions are strong enough to act as a real deterrent.
However, Hon. Tuinaceva noted that the rising number of Traffic Infringement Notices (TINs) issued shows a worrying pattern of disregard for the rules.
“The growing number of TINs reflects that we still have a long way to go in changing mindsets. Safe driving is not optional; it is a moral and civic duty.”
Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and the time for change is now.