Police call for mindset change after spike in dangerous driving

Despite repeated warnings and public awareness campaigns, police continue to record high numbers of dangerous driving offences, prompting calls for an urgent change in mindset by road users.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said the figures were worrying and confirmed that lives had been lost on Fiji’s roads in recent days, stressing that enforcement alone would not be enough to reduce the toll.

The Fiji Police Force raised concerns over road safety after recording a surge in speeding and drunk driving cases over a 48-hour period as the New Year approached.

Police confirmed that 14 motorists were arrested for drunk driving, while a further 256 drivers were booked for speeding during the two days.

Drunk driving and speeding remain the leading causes of road fatalities in Fiji.

Ms Naisoro said traffic enforcement and road safety were top priorities during festive season operations, with an increased police presence nationwide.

“This festive season’s operations focused heavily on traffic and road safety,” she said.

She said officers were deployed across all five policing divisions, carrying out snap breathalyser checks, radar operations and routine traffic patrols, with support from the Land Transport Authority to strengthen enforcement and visibility on the roads.

Ms Naisoro said that despite these efforts, police continued to record dangerous driving behaviour.

“What is needed is a change in mindset,” she said.

She reminded the public that road safety is a shared responsibility that applies to drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

“Too often road safety is taken lightly or joked about,” she said.

Ms Naisoro added that police were particularly concerned about drivers who obey traffic laws only when officers are visible.

“Some drivers think it is acceptable to be irresponsible once they pass a checkpoint or a radar team,” she said.

She urged all road users to obey the law at all times.

“Whether law enforcement is present or not, just follow the law. It helps keep you and others safe,” Ms Naisoro said.

With New Year celebrations approaching, police urged motorists to slow down, avoid drinking and driving, and make responsible choices every time they get behind the wheel, warning that without a change in behaviour, more lives could be lost on Fiji’s roads.

The road death toll stands at 76 compared to 66 in the same period last year