Anil Bachoo: "Turn on your headlights"

Anil Bachoo announced Tuesday a series of activities that the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, the NDU and transportation plans to organize in cooperation with the Special Road Safety Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister.

These activities include organizing a march for road safety awareness campaigns about the dangers of the road; demonstrations by rescue teams in case of accidents; presentation of the concept of retro-reflective jackets for the two-wheeler ; parade by motorcyclists and motorists collector vehicle enthusiasts, the participation of Scouts in road safety program, and organizing a competition for best clips on road safety made using cell phones.

While the number of vehicles keeps increasing, the victims of accidents on our roads remains a concern. No fewer than 44 people were killed in road accidents between January 1 and April 15. Park and 276 371 vehicles in 2003 rose to 391,000 so far.

The 44 deaths on our roads are up 14% compared to the same period in 2010 where authorities had recorded 37 deaths  However, this worsening is due to the tragedy on January 12 in Providence during which 12 employees of the factory Prada, eleven Bangladeshis were killed in an accident between a van and a truck carrying construction materials.

The campaigns seem to be working with a decrease of fatal accidents, or 17% compared to 2010, from 35 to 29 cases.

Moreover, the latest report of the Central Bureau of Statistics indicates a rising trend between 2009 and 2010 with 153 killed, 18.6% more than last year. Overall, it's 21 258 accidents were reported to the police with 2.564 original body which are the 153 fatal (casualty accidents), whereas 18.694 cases were not serious (non-injury accident).

For the same period, police reported 3.677 wounded, an increase of 0.4% compared to 2009. The number of hit and run, hit and run 'in 2010 was 162 cases.

Mauritius aspires to become a benchmark in road safety, announced Ben Buntipilly, adviser to the Office of the Prime Minister. It was early April when authorities proceeded to launch a website to inform, educate and educate 'the general public about the dangers they face when on the road.

In this context, the adviser to the Prime Minister had hinted that amendments to the Act will be made shortly in order to strengthen road safety measures.

The major economies of the G20, the major developing countries and international institutions like the World Bank and the World Health Organization have all endorsed the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.

This decade of action for road safety has been given by the Make Roads Safe campaign launched by the United Nations. "Over one million people have supported our call for UN action. Now, with political will and increased resources for millions of lives could be saved. Now we struggle to get governments and institutions to meet their commitments to ensure that the Decade of Action for Road Safety is a success, "says Lord Robertson Chairman, Make Roads Safe campaign.

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the period 2011-2020 as the Decade of Action for Road Safety, with an objective to stabilize and then reduce road deaths worldwide by developing activities at national, regional and global levels. 100 governments have co-sponsored the UN resolution establishing the Decade of Action for Road Safety, pledging to work to achieve this ambitious goal through an action plan with goals for the helmet and seat belt awareness security, have the safer road infrastructure and protection of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists supports Lord Robertson.

The UN stressed that knowledge and "vaccines" exist to fight against this epidemic and quickly begin to reduce the 'Casualties'.

The following precautions should be taken: motorcycle helmets and seat belts; government action to fight against drunk driving, speeding and improve driver training.

 In Mauritius the government has taken several initiatives to reduce accidents in particular by building better roads. The design of the secure infrastructure can save thousands of lives supports the United Nations.

Make Roads Safe campaign will maintain pressure to ensure that these words are followed by action.

The UN also argue that we must build safer vehicles and car manufacturers have a responsibility to produce safe cars. They must meet this requirement in all markets. All cars should be designed for safety, and basic security measures like air bags should not be considered as an option. Motorcycle manufacturers must do more to proactively encourage helmet use.

"It Is Time For Those Who Can Make a real difference - the Governments, International Financial Institutions, The donor community, development activists and the Millions Who are angry silent goal - to step up this challenge to Meet and to commit to the Decade of Action for Road Safety ", says Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

"By making road safety a priority over-the next decade We Have the potential to save millions of lives, and millions of Many to Prevent Injuries and disabilities" says Michelle Yeoh, ambassador Make Roads Safe Global.

 Ten Reasons

1. 1.3 million people are killed on roads worldwide every year
2. Road accidents kill more people than malaria
3. 50 million people are injured or disabled
4. 90% of these deaths occur in developing countries
5. Annual number of deaths expected to rise to 1.9 million in 2020
6. It is the # 1 cause of death among young people worldwide
7. In 2015, it will be the burden of leading health for children older than five years in developing countries
8. The economic cost to developing countries is at least $ 100 billion per year
9. Injured in an accident is an enormous burden on hospitals and health systems
10. The accidents are preventable