SUVA, Fiji: The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is urging all motorists to exercise the highest level of caution when driving following the tragic road fatality that occurred on Rewa Street, Suva last night, which claimed the life of a man in his 30s, who was a passenger in one of the vehicles involved.
While police investigations into the incident continue, the incident is believed to have been caused by a sudden and dangerous U-turn made by the alleged suspect, resulting in a collision with oncoming vehicles. It is understood the victim, the suspect and a second passenger were rushed to Colonial War Memorial Hospital where the victim was pronounced dead on arrival.
LTA Chief Executive Officer Irimaia Rokosawa said the increasing number of fatalities resulting from poor driving decisions was concerning, and highlighted the urgent need for greater responsibility and accountability on our roads.
“Adherence to traffic laws and safety measures is not optional—it is essential. This devastating loss of life is yet another reminder of the serious consequences of reckless driving and the blatant disregard for road rules. Every decision made behind the wheel carries significant responsibility—not just for the safety of the driver, but for passengers, pedestrians, and other road users,” Mr Rokosawa said.
“This latest incident highlights an ongoing concern for the Authority, which has continuously observed dangerous driving behaviours from some motorists, including habitual traffic law offenders.
“The Authority is currently initiating showcause proceedings against drivers who have repeatedly breached road safety regulations and have shown a continued pattern of endangering lives on our roads. LTA will not hesitate to take away these driving privileges through either suspension or cancellation of driver licence if these reckless behaviours continue.”
Despite ongoing joint enforcement operations with the Fiji Police Force and other key stakeholders, Mr Rokosawa says neither LTA officers nor the police can be in every vehicle to monitor driver behaviour.
He said the responsibility to drive safely rests with each individual behind the wheel.
“It is imperative that drivers understand the gravity of the choices they make when driving. The decision to speed, drive recklessly, or perform illegal manoeuvres may take only seconds—but the consequences can last a lifetime,” he added.
The LTA stresses that road safety is a shared responsibility and calls on not just drivers, but also passengers and pedestrians, to be vigilant and uphold the values of safety and care on the road.
The CEO said when one driver chooses to disobey traffic laws, it puts everyone—whether inside a vehicle or on the roadside—at serious risk.
“There is a growing number of cases where lives are lost due to poor judgement, reckless overtaking, dangerous U-turns, speeding, and general disregard for traffic laws. These behaviours not only violate the law but reflect a troubling disregard for human life,” Mr Rokosawa said.
“We must shift from a culture of negligence to one of accountability. Road fatalities are not just statistics—they are mothers, fathers, children, and loved ones lost forever because of choices that could have been avoided.”
As the LTA and the Fiji Police Force continue to carry out combined traffic enforcement operations, including spot checks, license verifications, and compliance assessments, Mr Rokosawa said the Authority was also strengthening its internal monitoring systems to identify repeat offenders and unsafe driving trends.
“Enforcement alone will not resolve this crisis. The LTA is appealing to all Fijians to adopt a responsible attitude when using our roads. This means adhering to speed limits, refraining from illegal road behaviour, ensuring vehicles are roadworthy, and respecting the rights and safety of other road users,” he said.
To ensure safety on our roads, members of the public are urged to assist the LTA by reporting dangerous driving or reckless driving behaviours via our LTA complaints platforms – Text to 582, email help@lta.com.fj / complaints@lta.com.fj or calling the Call Centre on 3392166. Complaints can also be filed via the LTA live chat service on our website at https://www.lta.com.fj
