Jaywalking and illegal parking or stopping continues to be a major concern during peak traffic hours in Suva City and Police have today confirmed that they will look into the issue with their stakeholders.
Fijivillage has witnessed day in day out people running in front of vehicles or even walking past and expecting moving vehicles to stop along Rodwell Road which is one of the main entry points into Suva City.
We have also noticed mini buses and taxis parking at no parking zones and this results in motorists trying to negotiate a way forward as lanes are blocked by the illegal parking.
It is always a chaotic situation and we have not witnessed any Police traffic officers at the scene booking drivers or fining the jaywalkers as jaywalking is illegal under our laws.
We raised the issue regarding jaywalking and illegal parking with Police, and have asked what is being done about it. We have also provided some photos.
Police spokesperson, Ana Naisoro says the Director of Traffic, Mahesh Mishra has directed the Divisional Police Commander Southern to look into the issue.
Naisoro says they will have discussions on the policing of jaywalking with their stakeholders, Land Transport Authority and the Suva City Council to better enforce the issue.
She says they face challenges in manpower particularly during peak hours considering other traffic related duties.
However she says the matter is being looked into.
This also applies to the issue of illegal parking.
We have also asked if a few Police officers can be spared to look into these illegal activities during peak traffic times since it is the main entry point into Suva.
Naisoro says the Southern Division Police will look into all the issues.
She is requesting members of the public to work with Police in adhering to the law as they cannot be everywhere throughout the day.
