The fact that 75 lives have been lost on Fiji’s roads as of December 10 this year is worrying. It makes road safety an important topic as we count down the days to Christmas.
This is traditionally a time of movement, celebration and reunion, but it is also a period when our highways become busier and far more dangerous.
We know what is coming. Families will travel across towns, villages and islands. Planned trips, last-minute journeys and holiday errands will keep our roads congested. More vehicles, more pedestrians and more pressure inevitably mean a higher risk of tragedy.
This reality calls for vigilance. It demands that we be proactive.
The current road death toll is already higher than the figure recorded at the same time last year. That should raise alarm bells, particularly at a time when travel plans are being finalised and festive excitement can cloud judgement.
What is even more concerning is that many of the fatalities so far have involved pedestrians and passengers, people who are often the most vulnerable on our roads.
The Land Transport Authority has rightly pointed out that the holiday period traditionally records heavy traffic movement, significantly increasing the risk of fatal road mishaps. Their advice is clear and practical. Pedestrians are being urged to use designated crossings and footbridges, remain alert, and avoid distractions such as mobile phones, headphones and alcohol, all of which impair judgement and reaction time.
Wearing bright or reflective clothing and carrying a torch when walking at night or during poor weather conditions could make the difference between being seen and being struck.
Drivers, too, are being reminded to slow down, stay visible, buckle up and look out for one another. These are not new messages, but they remain painfully relevant.
We revisit this issue yet again because, as we have often said, accidents happen because we allow them to. Every year, road safety becomes a major talking point. And yet, every year, people continue to die on our roads. It is disheartening to see these figures when we know that many accidents are preventable.
Preventing accidents requires vigilance, responsibility and planning. It means planning our trips properly and, more importantly, planning to arrive alive. It means ensuring our vehicles are road-worthy and well maintained. It means being well rested before a journey and being mentally prepared to share the road with others.
Most of all, it means obeying traffic laws. Adhering to speed limits. Using common sense. Keeping mobile phones out of our hands while driving. Signalling when changing lanes. Exercising patience at junctions and intersections. It means resisting the urge to honk aggressively, to tailgate, or to dangerously overtake just to gain a few seconds.
Courtesy on the road is not a weakness. It is a safeguard. So is discipline. Sticking to your lane, waiting your turn, and respecting other road users including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists can save lives.
As the festive season approaches, let us remind ourselves that road safety begins with individual choices. Laws exist to guide the use of our roads, but it is common sense, courtesy and responsibility that bring those laws to life. No celebration is worth a life lost, and no destination is so important that it cannot wait.
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