Figures released in French Polynesia show that last year 42 people were killed in road accidents which on a per capita basis is three times more than in mainland France.
The figures show that a further 325 people were injured.
Police say there had been a 28-percent increase in accidents over the previous year, with people under the age of 25 accounting for half the fatalities.
They say of particular concern is the high incidence of people driving under the influence of alcohol.
