Ensuring the safety and well-being of public service vehicle drivers remains a top priority for the Land Transport Authority as these drivers provide essential services to the public, work long hours to serve the communities and frequently face risks and challenges while fulfilling their legislative duties to serve the Fijian communities.
This has been highlighted by the LTA Acting Chief Executive Officer Irimaia Rokosawa who says the Authority is concerned about the safety of PSV drivers.
He says it is their collective responsibility to ensure the driver's safety and security on the roads therefore, they urge the public and PSV drivers to report any matter or actions that compromise their safety to the nearest police station.
While emphasising the importance of PSV drivers, the CEO says they should exercise their professional judgment and seek assistance from police or LTA officers at any checkpoint, if they feel their safety is compromised.
When questioned by fijivillage News on careless driving resulting in accidents and loss of life, Rokosawa says to combat careless driving, the Authority rigorously screens infringement records and summons drivers to show cause hearings.
He says these hearings aim to address and rectify reckless driving habits and violations of road traffic laws where drivers have the opportunity to explain their actions however, those with serious infractions face severe penalties, including the cancellation of their driver's licences.
The Acting CEO further says to curb road fatalities the LTA reviews and streamlines driver license issuance, introduces Provisional Licenses, Reviews the Defensive Driving Course, introduces of Mandatory Defensive Driving Course for Class 2 Full Driver Licence Holders, Introduction of Demerit Points System and Tougher Penalties, Enhanced Enforcement Operations and Road Safety Campaigns and the Review of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) Driver License Criteria and Enhancement of Gold Card Services.
