Please drivers, let’s take road safety seriously

Police are worried with the rising number of accidents as the festive season kicks in.

Two more lives were lost on our road, just 15 days away from Christmas. This time, along Queens Highway near Nabukavesi.

The private vehicle was on its way to pick up relatives from the Nadi International Airport.

Those who arrived at the scene of the accident said it was a horrific sight. The driver and a woman who were seated in the back seat died at the scene. The man seated in the front passenger seat is in critical condition at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva.

The tragic accident occurred just hours after Police issued a statement about the increasing number of serious road accidents and the need for road users to be careful while on the road – drivers and pedestrians alike.

Last weekend, there were two serious accidents involving an eight-year-old and a four-year-old, who are both admitted at the CWM Hospital.

The eight-year-old girl was allegedly bumped by a minibus on Saturday afternoon. The girl was waiting for her aunt with others near the Navua Bridge when she was hit while attempting to cross the road. The driver has been questioned and released.

In the other incident, a four-year-old girl was allegedly bumped by a vehicle while trying to cross the road.

These serious accidents could have been avoided if children were closely supervised by an adult.

Adults should be exemplary in their behaviour and action. They must ensure the safety of their children and those under their care. Even moreso during the school holidays. Children must be protected and supervised at all times.

In another separate road accident in Tavua, a 57-year-old man from Rabulu is admitted in hospital. Last Saturday, the victim, who was a passenger of a vehicle with three others, was heading towards Tavua Town when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road and hit a lamp post. Other passengers, including the driver were treated for their injuries and sent home. In Suva, along Jerusalem Road, a bus driven by a 60-year-old man is alleged to have collided with a vehicle on Saturday night. The bus driver allegedly overtook a vehicle and crashed into the oncoming car driven by the 32-year-old man. Three passengers in the car and the driver sustained injuries and are all admitted at the CWM Hospital.

It’s mind boggling that some Fijian drivers still can’t seem to get it when they are behind the wheel. It is like they are on an ego trip.

The initiative to name and shame high-risk drivers by the Land Transport Authority is a step in the right direction.

Perhaps having some sort of sticker on their vehicle to warn off other road users is something the authorities should consider.

For now, Police can only issue warnings and advice. It’s up to us road users to change our attitude and behaviour while using the road.