Tonga Police say nine people have lost their lives in road accidents so far this year, a figure authorities describe as a decline compared with previous years.

The Chief Superintendent of the Nukuʻalofa Police Station, Lemoto Piliu, said the reduction showed some progress in road safety but warned that risks increase sharply during the Christmas and New Year period, when traffic volumes rise.

During a public service program on Tonga Broadcasting, Mr Piliu said police were particularly concerned about passengers riding on the back of trucks during village sports events and festive activities. He said these practices expose people to serious injury or death if vehicles brake suddenly or lose control.

Police have also raised concerns about weather conditions, with rainfall reducing visibility and obscuring hazards such as potholes. Drivers swerving to avoid damaged road surfaces can easily lose control, especially at higher speeds.

According to police data, only one of this year’s road deaths involved drunk driving. Most fatalities were linked to speeding and passengers not wearing seatbelts.

In response, Tonga Police say they will intensify road safety operations throughout the festive season, with a special enforcement period running from this week through to the New Year.

Measures will include stricter checks on driver licences, increased vehicle safety inspections and continued alcohol control operations. Police say the focus is on prevention rather than punishment.

Authorities are urging drivers and passengers to take responsibility for their own safety as communities prepare for end-of-year celebrations, warning that a moment’s carelessness can have lasting consequences for families and villages across Tonga.