Three children have died on our roads in the last few weeks and Police say it seems their awareness campaigns and pleas are falling on deaf ears when they look at the number of traffic infringements recorded every day.
The latest person to die on our roads is a 2-year-old girl who was a victim of a serious accident.
Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro says the girl was walking with a 23-year-old relative along the footpath near Tamavua Village on the 24th of June when they were both hit by a vehicle driven by a 30-year-old man.
The 23-year-old sustained injuries and was discharged from hospital last Thursday while the 2-year-old victim remained admitted in critical condition, until she passed away earlier this week.
The 30-year-old driver Iliesa Cama has been charged with dangerous driving causing harm.
Police also confirm that following the death of the 2-year-old victim, the 30-year-old driver will be brought in again for further investigations.
The prosecutor today informed Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili that the 2-year-old girl has passed away and they will now amend the charge.
Cama’s bail has been extended and the case will be called on the 17th of July.
Meanwhile the post mortem of the 5-year-old boy who died in a road accident in Sawani, will be conducted today.
The driver remains in custody as investigators await the outcome of the post mortem examination.
It is alleged that the 5-year-old boy was running across the road when he was hit by a vehicle driven by a 36-year-old farmer of Viria, Naitasiri.
In another tragic incident, a one-year-old boy died after an accident at Chameli Street in Lautoka late last month.
Police have confirmed that the 43‑year‑old driver who caused the death of the one-year-old boy in Lautoka has been interviewed and released.
Naisoro says they will interview the boy’s parents on the alleged negligence issue and will forward the file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
According to the initial findings, the one-year-old boy had wandered off from his home.
The road death toll currently stands at 31 compared to 28 for the same period last year.
Police are asking for everyone to take road safety seriously as we continue to record road accidents on a daily basis.
Speeding and driver fatigue as well as pedestrian behavior are the main contributing factors to the increasing number of road accidents.
