Parents and children of Aquilau in Narewa, Nadi, stood along the Denarau roadside yesterday with banners raising road safety awareness.

A bus accident on Monday morning involving more than 20 students forced parents to hold a peaceful demonstration.

About 18 students were treated at the Nadi Hospital with minor injury.

A parent, Kolinio Vatunitu, said on the night of the bus accident all parents of Aquilau met to discuss ways to enhance the safety of their children.

“The purpose of us standing by the roadside with banners was for the safety of our children. These children are lucky to be alive today,” he said.

“Instead of us raising awareness today, we could have been mourning for some of them. Before it is too late, we want to act now for our children.”

He said drivers speeding along Denarau Road was alarming.

“When drivers took off from the Narewa streetlight and pass the church at the roadside, their speed limits reach 80 to 100 till they reach the Denarau Bridge,” Mr Vatunitu said.

“Last week, there was an accident along this road and this week, the bus accident. We don’t know what will happen the week ahead of us as the festive season is coming nearer.

“As responsible parents we accompanying our children to the road and ensure they gets into the bus safely. But inside the bus it is all in the hands of the driver.”

For parents, catching in the bus or any other vehicle is not safe anymore because of the frequent road accidents. They are requesting authorities to
construct road hump so drivers can slow down.

Land Transport Authority (LTA) acting chief executive officer Irimaia Rokosawa said they were compiling their responses to the concerns of the parents.

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