Road accidents in and around Port Moresby have seen a sharp increase in the recent weeks, raising concerns for public safety as the Christmas season approaches. Authorities and emergency services are calling for caution as reckless driving, speeding and alcohol consumption contribute to the growing number of incidents. According to initial reports, the National Capital District and Central Province have recorded multiple accidents on major highways and inner-city roads. The rise in accidents has already claimed lives and caused injuries, with hospitals reporting an uptick in emergency admissions related to vehicle collisions. In a recent incident near Nine Mile, a collision between two buses resulted in several injuries with passengers being rushed to Port Moresby General Hospital. Witnesses cited speeding and overtaking on a curve as the cause of the accident. In another case along the Hiritano Highway, a private vehicle veered off the road, reported due to driver fatigue, leaving one passenger critically injured. Acting ACP NCD/Central Province, Benjamin Turi confirmed that two police vehicle and more than five other vehicles had been involved in accident since November 27th, 2024. Mr. Turi said that most of the accidents were caused by drivers who were under the influence of alcohol and over-speeding. “The public, including police officers must remember that we have only one life and should be considerate of those in the vehicle when driving. The driver must also think of those who are with you and the vehicle that you are driving. It's best to be sober while driving,” said Commander Turi. With many families preparing for holiday travel, the public is reminded to be responsible and prioritize safety over haste. Authorities recommended planning trips during daylight hours, checking vehicles for roadworthiness and avoiding overcrowding in public transport vehicles.