Five road deaths recorded this year is the lowest number of fatalities in over a decade. Between January and November this year,  Tonga Police recorded 262 car crashes with five road fatalities - a significant drop from 18 road deaths recorded last year.

It is the lowest number of road deaths since 2005 when there were four road deaths.

Superintendent Vailea stated, “While it’s encouraging that more people are alive than last year, it’s little comfort to the families and friends of those victims, and to the people who are injured or otherwise traumatized by these crashes”

“Drivers making good decisions are crucial to reducing road trauma,” he added.

Tonga Police said that they will be out in force this month, running a number of checkpoints throughout Tongatapu and that everyone who is stopped will be breath tested.

 “We encourage everyone to follow the basic safety rules. These include checking your speed, avoiding alcohol, driving to the road conditions and drive considerately – the way you drive affects others”, he said.

“Most drivers do a great job and we congratulate them for making sound decisions when they’re behind the wheel.  It’s the mistakes and poor judgment of the risk takers who put the lives of the innocent in danger.”

Tonga Police stated that car crashes are most commonly attributed to drivers losing control, speeding, drink driving, and failing to give way or stop.

"Road safety is everyone’s responsibility.  Nobody wants to share the road with someone who is not paying attention, speeding or who has been drinking.  So please look after each other and make smart decisions on the road this summer.