Traffic violations in Fiji may soon carry serious criminal repercussions, including the possibility of imprisonment, as authorities intensify their efforts to promote road safety. Irimaia Rokosawa, the chief executive officer of the Land Transport Authority (LTA), announced the agency’s collaboration with the Fiji Police Force to establish new regulations aimed at criminalizing traffic offenses.
This initiative arises in response to a troubling 25 percent surge in road fatalities, which reached 83 by the end of 2025, up from 66 in the previous year. Rokosawa identified speeding as the leading cause of these deadly incidents.
In conjunction with potential criminal penalties, the LTA plans to implement a demerit points system, which is expected to streamline the enforcement of traffic laws. This system will introduce standardized penalties, reducing reliance on subjective interpretations during traffic law enforcement. Currently, demerit points can only be issued by magistrates; however, the LTA aims to gain the authority to issue points directly, inspired by successful implementations in Australia and New Zealand.
Currently, traffic penalties are issued through personal interactions, but the anticipated demerit points system will apply a structured, rule-based approach that integrates compliance regulations. Rokosawa emphasized that both the move towards criminalization and the introduction of a demerit points system are crucial for enhancing driver accountability.
He stated, “Traffic offences should not be taken lightly, and that is something that the Land Transport Authority, together with our key stakeholders, including the Fiji Police Force and our line ministry, is diligently working towards.”
This policy change forms part of a larger strategy aimed at improving road safety, which could foster a more responsible driving culture across Fiji. By taking substantial steps to address traffic violations, the authorities are hopeful that the number of accidents and fatalities will decline as a result of increased accountability among drivers.