SUVA, Fiji (10th November 2025): The Land Transport Authority is once again urging all motorists to take responsibility for their actions on the road following yet another tragic road fatality that claimed the life of a 24-year-old man from Vatukoula early this morning.
According to initial reports from the Fiji Police Force, the fatal crash occurred around 1am along Toko, Tavua. The victim was a passenger in a vehicle driven by an 18-year-old man. It is alleged that the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road. Both occupants sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the Tavua Hospital, where the 24-year-old passenger was pronounced dead on arrival.
LTA Chief Executive Officer Irimaia Rokosawa expressed his condolences to the victim’s family and reiterated the Authority’s growing concern on the number of lives being lost on Fiji’s roads due to reckless and irresponsible driving behaviour.
“Speeding remains one of the leading causes of road accidents and fatalities, often resulting in drivers losing steering control and veering off the road — a pattern seen in many of the fatal crashes recorded this year,” Mr Rokosawa said.
“When a driver chooses to exceed the speed limit or drives under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they are not only endangering their own lives but also the lives of passengers and every other road user.
“What makes it even more heartbreaking is that most of these fatalities could have been prevented if drivers simply chose to act responsibly and follow the rules.”
Mr. Rokosawa stressed that the Authority’s message has been consistent: speeding kills and reckless driving destroys lives.
Despite continuous awareness campaigns, he said the number of serious accidents continue to rise.
“The outcome of ignoring road safety advice and traffic regulations is devastating — families lose loved ones, communities are left grieving, and promising young lives are cut short because of poor decisions made behind the wheel,” Mr Rokosawa said.
He urged parents and guardians to play an active role in guiding young drivers to understand the weight of responsibility that comes with holding a driver licence.
“When you hold a licence, you hold a responsibility — to yourself, your passengers, and everyone else sharing the road. Driving is not a right, it is a privilege, and it must be exercised with discipline, caution, and respect for the law,” Mr. Rokosawa said.
He also warned that those who continue to disregard road safety and traffic regulations will face the full force of the law.
“We cannot afford to gamble with lives. Every time a driver decides to go past the speed limit or get behind the wheel under the influence, they are playing with death — their own or someone else’s,” the CEO said.
He emphasized that the Authority, in partnership with Police, continues to conduct joint enforcement operations and awareness campaigns nationwide to curb such dangerous behaviour.
“Our joint enforcement teams are out on our roads every day to ensure compliance with traffic regulations, while our road safety education teams continue to visit communities, schools, and workplaces to raise awareness about responsible road user behaviour,” said Mr. Rokosawa.
“However, the success of these efforts ultimately depends on individual choices. The LTA and the Police cannot be on every road, at every hour, watching every driver. The responsibility lies with each motorist to make safe decisions — to slow down, stay sober, and stay alert.”
He called on all road users, drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, to make conscious and responsible decisions that protect lives.
This latest tragedy brings the national road death toll to 65, compared to 51 for the same period last year.
