44 Fatalities in 2022

A 48-year-old man from Navaqiqi, Savusavu, has been charged for allegedly causing the death of a 6-year-old student following a motor vehicle accident in Yaroi, Savusavu on the 17th of December 2022.

The accused has been charged with one count of dangerous driving occasioning death and will be produced at the Labasa Magistrates Court today.

The Fiji Police Force Traffic Division recorded 44 fatalities in 2022 compared to 25 for the same period in 2021, and traffic infringement bookings continue to reflect a worrying trend.

The Chief Operations Officer (COO) Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (A/ACP) Livai Driu has raised serious concerns following the high number of speeding and drunk drive bookings and arrests made between 6am on the 31st of December to 6am 1st January 2023.

Fifteen (15) drunk and drive arrests were recorded during the reporting period, with the Western Division recording the highest arrests of 6.

The Central Division recorded 5, South 3, and the Eastern Division 1.

Also concerning were the bookings for speeding, which recorded 118.

A/ACP Driu says driver behaviour continues to be a concern and is reflected in the traffic infringement bookings recorded on a daily basis.

“Speeding and drunk driving are two of the leading causes of road fatalities and despite the repeated warnings and advisories being issued, we continue to record high number of bookings”.

“Driver attitudes need to change. We urge everyone to speak up and report drivers who continue to be reckless to prevent further loss of lives on our roads”.

Traffic officers will be out in numbers again today with increased movement of people anticipated following the Christmas and New Year festivities.