Government vehicles are an asset and should be treated as such

On the Fiji Government Facebook page, dated November 12, 2021, the following read: Did you know that Government vehicles have a very strict code of conduct?

Government vehicle drivers cannot drive any way they want to. They must drive safely and take responsible care for their own health and safety as well as other road users.

If you see otherwise, where a Government vehicle driver is driving in an unsafe manner, has the engine idling, or is otherwise being inappropriately used – report it to us on 3221287 or at https://bit.ly/govvehiclereportform.

Please include any evidence in the form of videos and pictures, with the licence plate number and time of the event.

Today, a Government vehicle driver is scheduled to appear in the Navua Magistrate’s Court after the vehicle he was driving on Sunday morning was involved in an accident at Tokotoko, Navua, along the Queens Rd.

Police confirmed that the 48-year-old man has been charged with drink driving and dangerous driving.

Police also said there were two passengers in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

A 10-year-old boy, who was on the roadside with a guardian, was admitted at the Navua Hospital after he was hit by the same vehicle. The boy was thrown metres away from the point of impact.

The passengers and driver were lucky to be alive despite the fact that an electrical transformer attached to a roadside power pole fell on the top of that Government 4WD vehicle.

Witnesses said they were horrified seeing the speeding vehicle go off road, hit the boy and the power pole, before landing in the drain.

Questions that came to mind were:

1. Who was inside the vehicle?

2. How did it happen? ... etc.

But the real questions to ask as per the Government vehicle drivers’ code of conduct above should include:

1. Was the vehicle on official duty on Sunday? 2. Who monitors the fleet and who authorises its release and for what purpose?

3. Were the two passengers in the 4WD Government officials?

4. Do Government vehicles have a standard speed such as a locked speedometer at certain speed?

The accident was not the first involving Government vehicles. Accidents do happen but being cautious and courteous save lives.

Government’s transport fleet is the biggest in the country. It contains top and expensive brands, and the vehicles are new. The fleet serves our leaders, visiting dignitaries and Government officials. Government is an employer. So, like any employer, whether corporate or civil, workers should work to the conduct required by the employer.

Vehicles are assets. They cost taxpayers millions of dollars. An ordinary Fijian works hard and save for almost half his life to be able to buy a luxury 4WD, like the one that was involved in Sunday’s accident. Who will pay for the damage to the vehicle, the power pole, and especially the welfare of the young boy who was hit by the vehicle?

He will now grow up carrying the scars of the accident and the trauma from what he experienced in that few seconds that almost cost his life.

As Police repeatedly plead, drivers, whether you are Government vehicle drivers, have your personal vehicle or drive for your employer or company, please remember you are not the king of the road when you are behind the wheel.

Speed may thrill, but it also kills.

If you see a Government vehicle driver is driven in an unsafe manner, or inappropriately used – report it on 3221287 or at https://bit.ly/govvehiclereportform.