The Land Transport Authority (LTA) of Fiji is ramping up its initiatives to enhance road safety by targeting buses that fail to meet established safety standards. Chief Executive Irimaia Rokosawa recently announced that from January to October, over 1,200 inspections were carried out, resulting in more than 500 defect orders issued to unsafe vehicles. Notably, around 400 buses have been repaired and reinstated to service following these inspections.
To bolster safety efforts, the LTA is working alongside the Fiji Police Force to conduct roadside checks for immediate inspections. This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at ensuring compliance among Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and tackling unsafe driving behaviors. The authority reported issuing over 2,000 speeding fines to bus drivers, alongside 25 tickets for careless driving, underscoring the urgent need for stricter adherence to road safety regulations.
Rokosawa stressed the importance of bus operators maintaining their fleets to guarantee passenger safety. Buses deemed unsafe will be barred from operating on Fiji’s roads, highlighting the LTA’s commitment to enforcement and public transport safety.
These proactive steps reflect previous enforcement actions that aimed to tackle the rising concerns surrounding reckless driving, particularly amid an uptick in road accidents involving PSVs. Encouragingly, the LTA is hopeful that this crackdown will cultivate a culture of responsibility among drivers, contributing to safer journeys for all Fijians.
By implementing stringent safety protocols and enhancing collaboration with law enforcement agencies, the LTA is making meaningful progress toward improving public transport safety throughout Fiji. These efforts represent a positive and encouraging shift toward a safer driving environment for everyone, ultimately benefiting the community’s well-being as a whole.