PEDESTRIANS who are grog doped and drunk are two of the major causes of road fatalities in the country.
And the Fiji Police Force has urged members of the public to refrain from these actions in the fight to stop the alarming number of fatalities on the roads.
Director of traffic Senior Superintendent of Police Mahesh Mishra said it was risky for drunken pedestrians and those who were grog doped to walk near busy roads.
He said there was a high chance of those being involved in the fatal road accidents because of some drivers’ negligence.
SSP Mishra said police were concerned with the alarming number of road fatalities happening with the Western Division recording the most number of fatalities.
“Members of the public are requested to take extra precautions while drinking because it is always risky for them to walk on the main road,†he said.
“We have come across cases in the past where drunken pedestrians and grog dopers are involved in road fatalities just because of ignoring basic road rules.
SSP Mishra said 11 road fatalities had been recorded in the Western Division so far compared to 10 for the same period last year.
“This shows the negligence of the drivers and pedestrians failing to follow simple road rules.
“The police together with the Land Transport Authority are working tirelessly in its effort to prevent road fatalities.
“We have also identified that nearly all these cases were caused by drivers breaking the road rules.â€
“If pedestrians and drivers follow the road rules, I believe we can solve this problem especially when innocent lives are lost due to the negligence of the others.â€
SSP Mishra said police needed the support of the public in order to be successful in their fight to prevent road fatalities.
Reports released from police showed that of the total of 55 fatalities recorded last year, 30 were in the west.