The Land Transport Authority will continue to beef up road safety operations and snap-checks on Fiji’s roads leading up to the festive season and back-to-school preparations as the recent surge in road fatalities brings to attention the urgent need for all road users to adhere to and practice safe driving at all times.

While the deaths of three people in Lomawai, Sigatoka over the weekend was a tragedy, LTA Acting Chief Executive Officer Irimaia Rokosawa said the incident served as a reminder for all drivers and pedestrians to take heed of the advice to be alert and exercise duty of care while on the road.

He said the Authority’s road safety education team and enforcement officers were already conducting widespread awareness and outreach in communities and schools, including the implementation of roadside awareness and interventions as well as office outreach and advanced driver training programmes.

He said general road safety education tips and awareness were also disseminated to the public through media partnerships in the English, Hindi and iTaukei vernaculars.

These efforts would roll out aggressively over the next few months to ensure the vital messages on road safety were shared extensively to all communities.

“The LTA is also working closely with key stakeholders from the public and private sector to increase awareness campaigns in society especially as we are approaching the festive season and back-to-school preparations. We understand these two periods are a busy time and there will be a lot of movement on our roads,” Rokosawa said.

“We cannot stress enough the seriousness of ignoring road safety rules. Innocent lives are lost because of that split-second decision to disregard safety precautions when behind the wheel.”