Road safety is a government priority declared the Prime Minister who was launching a National Road Safety Campaign. To date, the number of deaths on our roads is 108, while last year at the same time, the number of deaths was 83; and by the end of 2022, the number had risen to 108 deaths. The Prime Minister is not unmoved by these figures.
The government is working hard to make our roads safer. “Today, the government is focusing on awareness and prevention,” said the PM, because the situation is truly alarming. Pravind Jugnauth recalled that the government had set up a National Commission on Road Safety, where several issues were discussed, recommendations made, and measures put in place. Today, it’s a question of raising awareness, not just on the part of the government, but on the part of all Mauritians, because we’re all concerned by what’s happening on our roads. The governor is calling on everyone – the press, the authorities, and the private sector – to take part in this awareness campaign. “We need to drastically reduce the number of accidents on our roads. When we look at the figures, we must realize that we are all at risk when we take to the road”, declared the PM.
One life lost, one death too many: pain, grief and shock for the family, the community, and the country. The irresponsibility of others leads to accidents, casualties and significant consequences for the family and a total loss for the country. In 2016, the government had adopted a strategic plan that had reduced the number of accidents, but this year, the number of accidents is on the rise. We need to rethink our strategy and try to align them with the UN action plan. If some countries don’t have so many accidents, why can’t we? In road accidents, it’s not just the deaths that concern us, but also cases of serious injury. People must react, and we can’t carry on being carefree. Despite the number of tickets issued, we often see evidence of speeding where there is no ‘Speed Camera’, of drivers driving under the influence of alcohol or not respecting the highway code.
A change in the ‘mindset’ of drivers, motorcyclists and pedestrians is needed to address these problems, which are doing great harm to society. Pravind Jugnauth makes a solemn appeal to the population to get involved in the campaign to reduce the number of accidents. The Prime Minister is asking citizens to be more disciplined in protecting themselves and the lives of others. The campaign will reach primary school children at the beginning of next year.
The Minister of Transport, Alan Ganoo, took the opportunity to stress the importance of road safety, which he sees as an indicator of a country’s development. Road accidents, he said, are a major cause of death, if not the main cause of death among young people. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers it to be the 8th leading cause of death worldwide. We’re doing better than many African countries, but not as well as European ones. On average, we count 520 deaths a year, most of them pedestrians. Most accidents are caused by human error, negligence, or bad behavior. 65% of accidents are due to non-compliance with the law. The Minister points out that the GM has strengthened the law, increased fines, and there is zero tolerance when it comes to drink-driving, alcohol, and even drugs. The government is considering other laws and measures, such as the Child Restriction Regulations and the ‘protective helmet’. There are even plans to introduce a probationary driving license.
