Traffic crashes kill two at Hala Taufa'ahau [1]
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 - 05:15. Updated on Friday, September 12, 2014 - 16:52.
Two separate fatal road crashes last weekend on Tongatapu left two people dead.
The first crash occurred around 4.30pm on Saturday morning February 28,2 when an older couple were on their way to church. The driver swerved after hitting a cow on Taufa'ahau Road, at Veitongo and the vehicle hit a mango tree.
The passenger, a 67 year old woman died later at Vaiola Hospital and the driver was hospitalized with minor injuries.
Police inquiries are continuing into this fatal crash but it is believed that neither person was wearing a seatbelt, which police believe may be a factor in the death of the passenger and injuries to the driver.
Haveluloto corner
Early Saturday evening, February 28, another fatal crash occurred at Taufa'ahau Road, Haveluloto, when a vehicle left the road and struck a power pole. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was taken to hospital and died a short time later.
Police inquiries confirm alcohol was a factor in this fatal crash.
"I do not want to see a repeat of the 2008 Fatal Road Crash Statistics repeated in 2009,' Commander Chris Kelley said today.
"Last year we lost 18 people in fatal road crashes, most if not all could have been avoided, these are 'accidents', they can be avoided, just wear your seatbelt for a start," the Commander emphasized.
"Road Safety is Everyone's Responsibility, - it's not just a slogan it's a key to staying alive."
"Tonga Police are working with other partner agencies such as transport, health and works to develop new initiatives and recommend law changes to government but there's no substitute for personal responsibility on the road," said Cmdr Kelley.
In 2008 Police on Tongatapu issued and instigated 7,575 traffic prosecutions.
Over the last four weeks they have issued 929 traffic infringement notices on Tongatapu.
"Enforcement is not the complete answer, education and driver responsibility are crucial to reducing the road toll, we cannot allow a repeat of last years terrible statistics to reoccur," Commander Kelley said. Tonga Police Report, 03/03/09.