Mauritius Moves to Stem Rising Road Carnage

Mauritian Police and the Prime Minister’s office stated that they would rein in reckless drivers and enforce traffic rules using the recently established Road Traffic Amendment Act 2012 which is now in full force.

The new legislation will ensure all road users comply with international standards and consequently decrease fatalities.

It will also compel drivers to have their licences suspended or cancelled if they break traffic rules.

The use of technology, like mobile speed and fixed cameras, has also been incorporated to enhance road safety in the new legislation.

The island nation whose population is 1.2 million has about 390,000 registered road users.

Recent figures from the Central Statistics Office on road traffic accidents indicated an upsurge in road accidents from 12.8 per cent in 2010 to 15 per cent in 2011 with 1,727 deaths. The police said the figures would rise by the end of 2012.

According to World Health Organisation, traffic accidents are responsible for an estimated 322,000 deaths in Africa annually.