In Fiji, road safety has become a pressing issue as 296 lives have tragically been lost over the past five years, with 83 fatalities reported in the previous year alone. This alarming statistic was shared by the Fiji Police Force during the National Transport Infrastructure Consultative Forum, underscoring the urgent need for action.
Deputy Police Commissioner Aporosa Lutunauga highlighted the growing trend in road accidents, with notable increases over the years. In 2021, the Fiji Police documented 2,643 accidents, which resulted in 134 serious injuries and 25 deaths. This number escalated in 2022, with 3,096 accidents recorded, leading to 147 serious injuries and 44 fatalities. The situation has not improved in 2023, where there were 3,667 reported accidents that, while resulting in a slight decrease in serious injuries (130), still accounted for a worrying 78 fatalities.
The upward trajectory continued into 2024, where, despite a slight drop in deaths to 66, overall reported accidents soared to 4,890. This year also saw 264 serious injuries, highlighting the ongoing crisis. The situation culminated last year, with the Fiji Police recording a staggering 5,541 accidents, of which 220 were classified as serious and 83 fatalities occurred.
Lutunauga pointed out that the primary contributors to these incidents are speeding, careless driving, pedestrian irresponsibility, and drunk driving. Despite ongoing warnings regarding these behaviors, they persist as significant factors in road safety challenges.
The police force emphasized that the data reflects preventable trends and stressed that saving lives on the roads demands a collaborative approach. This involves not just law enforcement, but also education, engineering, and emergency response sectors working together to enhance road safety in Fiji. Through unified efforts, there is hope for a future with improved road safety and a reduction in tragic fatalities.