Replying to a parliamentary question, the Prime Minister, Dr Navin Ramgoolam stated that the government is planning to introduce a new system called in-vehicle interlock or alcolock all over the island.
“This is a new system being used in Mauritius and it has been installed in the vehicle of private organisation to check how it works, what are the difficulties and other related issues,” said Ramgoolam.
He pointed out that: “The alcolock system is designed to prevent a driver from driving if he has excess alcohol in his blood.”
It requires the driver to breathe into an in-car breathalyser before starting the ignition key. If the driver’s alcohol level is above the limit, the vehicle will not start.
Regarding the number of road accidents in 2011, the number of fatal road accidents stood at 132 while this year, there have been 72 cases up to July 16.
A Special Road Safety Management Unit is preparing draft regulations that would maximise road safety. These include compulsory use of high-visibility jackets by motorised two-wheelers.
Proposals to increase the effectiveness of the police in enforcing traffic rules are also being implemented. “Twenty riders will be added to the Road Safety Motorcycle Squad to improve road safety by intervening after observing events linked to driving offences and high-risk driving situations,” underlined Ramgoolam.
The opposition leader Paul Bérenger quizzed the PM on the road accident which occurred on Sunday at Pamplemousses and deplored the state of the roads. MSM MP Mahen Jhugroo stressed that bus terminals are wrongly designed and Ramgoolam stated that he is looking into the matter.
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