THE national road death toll has increased to 19 compared to 18 for the same period last year.
The latest fatality was a 33-year-old man who died in Nadi over the weekend.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said the deceased was involved in a car accident at Kerebula on May 25.
The deceased was driving alone and heading towards Votualevu, she said
He lost control of the vehicle and veered off the road. He was admitted at the Trauma Ward of Lautoka Hospital with injuries.
The deceased was transferred to Nadi Hospital and kept for observation until his passing away over the weekend.
Ms Naisoro said a post-mortem is expected to be conducted soon.
Traffic director SSP Mahesh Mishra said of the 19 fatalities, 12 were recorded in the Western Division compared to 10 for the same period last year.
SSP Mishra said most of the road fatalities occurred in the west and the police were working closely with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to reduce the road death toll.
We are doing the best we can to educate members of the public and pedestrians on the safety measures to use while on the roads, he said.
LTA chief executive officer Naisa Tuinaceva admitted the many illegal operations happening in the west were contributing factors to the rise in road fatalities.