The Land Transport Authority (LTA) continues to emphasise that no destination is worth a life lost and is strongly reminding all drivers to adhere to road safety measures and value the lives of passengers. The advisory followings the tragic death of a woman in her 60s yesterday along Buca Bay Road, near Vatudamu in Cakaudrove.
According to preliminary police reports, the victim was one of 10 passengers in a four-wheel drive vehicle driven by a man in his 30s. It is alleged that the suspect failed to negotiate a bend, resulting in the fatal accident.
LTA Chief Executive Officer Irimaia Rokosawa said this latest loss of life was a tragic reminder of the consequences of reckless driving and speeding, reinforcing the Authority’s continued call for all motorists to make safety a priority at all times.
“We cannot stress enough the dangers of speeding as this remains the leading cause of fatalities on our roads this year,” Mr. Rokosawa said.
“When drivers choose to ignore speed limits, they risk losing control of their vehicles or making poor decisions that can result in dangerous driving behaviours — with little regard for the safety of their passengers, pedestrians, and even their own lives.”
The Authority is urging drivers to act responsibly, especially when transporting passengers, as they are entrusted with the lives of others. Every decision made behind the wheel must be grounded in safety and accountability.
“Speeding, reckless overtaking, and failure to properly assess road conditions—particularly on bends and rural roads—can have deadly outcomes,” Mr. Rokosawa added.
“There is simply no justification for compromising safety or driving carelessly.”
This latest incident comes despite ongoing efforts by LTA’s enforcement and road safety education teams, who continue to engage in public awareness campaigns, school visits, community outreach, and increased visibility across the country to remind all road users of the importance of road safety and compliance with traffic laws.
"Every driver has a responsibility to ensure that the vehicle they operate is not only roadworthy, but that they themselves are focused, rested, and fully committed to safe driving behaviour,” Mr. Rokosawa said.
“Speed limits are there for a reason. They are not suggestions—they are legally enforceable measures put in place to save lives. When drivers ignore these limits, they place themselves and everyone else around them at grave risk.”
He said the Authority would to work closely with the Fiji Police Force to strengthen joint enforcement operations and increased visibility to ensure that those who disregard the law face the appropriate consequences.
Joint operations and strategic enforcement initiatives are currently underway to target high-risk areas and promote a culture of road safety compliance, the CEO highlighted.
“Our regional officers and road safety advocates will continue to advocate on safe and responsible driving behaviours, particularly in areas where terrain and road conditions require an even greater level of driver care and attentiveness,” Mr Rokosawa said.
“We call on all members of the public, especially drivers, to recommit to road safety. Let us not wait for another life to be lost before we change our behaviour. These tragedies are preventable, and it starts with each one of us making better, safer choices on the road.”
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
