Our roads, our responsibility

Our road users are many with their own reasons for such usage.

We have the Fiji Electricity Authority, Telecom Fiji Limited, Water Authority of Fiji, general industry cartage, and general travellers and pedestrians.

Another group are the players who pass the ball across the road to and fro trying to show their passing and catching skills.

Then there are some who block their ears with special gadgets as they have gone musical. Enjoying every step with music but unaware of the dangers around.

I met one who even had forgotten where he was and where he should have gone to. Such are our music lovers.

Out of these road users our drivers are the most significant creators of nuisance on our roads.

These include driving without a valid licence, intoxicated with alcohol or drugs, speeding, overtaking at will, dangerous turns and disregarding the road signs.

If nothing is done to control all of these challenges our roads would become a hell.

The controlling authority should keep a database on all drivers and should provide a monthly notice on their infringements.

Those who do not commit infringements should be provided incentives such as discounts on renewals of driving license.

Any person caught driving illegally should be banned from our roads as a driver for at least ten years .

Drivers causing death or injuries whether temporary or permanent should compensate the victims.

If the driver is dead then of course other avenues such as insurance or a special road victims' compensation scheme should be set up . Something should be done now rather than later.

Sitting and waiting by authorities is a form of negligence. Our roads are getting busier which is not showing any signs of a decrease.