The use of public roads for purposes other than that designed by law warrants a penalty.
Both the Land Transport Authority and the Fiji Police Force are looking at ways to ensure Fiji roads are safe and accident and fatality rates decreased.
This will be through the enforcement of existing and old laws since 2000, however an intensive period of awareness will precede enforcement.
Things that will amount to a misuse of a public road include:
· Using the road as a playing field
· Carelessly working onto the centre of the roads,
· Taking up lanes meant for vehicles
· Sitting on the side of roads posing a risk to passing vehicles
· Roadside hawkers, begging
· Pounding grogs on the roads etc.
Authority chief executive officer Naisa Tuinaceva said that the LTA and Police would be out to bring down accident rates.
The road death toll now stands at 28 compared to 32 for the same period last year.
“The awareness that we need to create will focus on what constitutes a misuse of a public road,” Mr Tuinaceva said.
Fiji Police Force director traffic Senior Superintendent Mahesh Mishra said around 50 per cent of accidents involved pedestrians.
“Roads are meant for vehicles and when the general public obstruct movements of vehicles, they not only endanger their own (pedestrian) lives but also place other lives at risk,” SSP Mishra said.
Misuse of public roads is governed under Regulation 62 and Regulation 87 of the Land Transport Traffic Regulation of 2000 that stipulates a $10 spot fine and gives the court the discretion of imposing up to a maximum of $200 fine.
Another clause of the law linked to the misuse of public roads that will be enforced come October, prohibits the erection of roadside establishments.
“This would include BBQ stalls on footpaths obstructing the free flow of pedestrians,” Mr Tuinaceva said.
“Pedestrians are forced to walk onto the public road because of these obstruction and it poses risks to motorists and to their own lives as well.”
Regulations 65 and Regulation 87 stipulate on the spot fines of $25 and up to a maximum of $500 in court.
Failure to remove the roadside establishment as ordered will further cost the defaulter a $40 spot fine and he/she can face up to a maximum of $1000 fine in court.
“But we will need to carry out more awareness and raise public understanding about these offences,” he said.
“We do this because we want to improve the safety of both pedestrians and vehicle owners.
“Traffic laws have been created in the public’s interest and for safety reasons and they need to be observed .”
For further clarifications please contact the PMLO Theresa Ralogaivau on 9906451.