Consultation is required before the introduction of new regulations

For the Road Traffic Act related to fire extinguishers, plates, speedometers and more recently the parking coupons, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Transportation now requires consultations with all stakeholders during the preparation of laws.

Anil Baichoo, Minister of Public Infrastructure, wants no more mistakes. " You can not promulgate regulations and then retract into the reasons for practical problems," Does it advance the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.

Since they were enacted in August 2010, the new provisions of the Road Traffic Act gave way to numerous problems, starting with fire extinguishers have become mandatory for any vehicle (except tires).

These devices, by regulation, must be 500g and were not available on the market. By this practical issue, amend the new regulations so that motorists can use 400g. But after the revisions of the law, new practical problems arise. While the law makes no provision regarding the location and storage conditions of the extinguisher in the vehicle. Moreover, one fire caused an explosion of fire extinguishers in a car. To date, the motorist is still unsure about how to keep it and especially the place to avoid danger.

Then there were the plates on were standardized characters and two different colours on the front and rear. After the launching of the law, it is needed to walk back and see the application for lack of details and especially lack of operators.

This year, two new problems arise. First, speedometers for two-wheelers, especially motorcycles, according to importers and representatives, were ended at shops long ago. "This is serious as it comes to that. The police have already taken some sixty tickets and now it must cancel them because the department has had to withdraw from this legislation," said Salim Muthy, spokesman of the Common Front of Social Workers. In total, 30000 riders were affected by this measure and the Common Front had planned a protest demonstration against this regulation.

Indeed, the law set that motorcycles should be equipped with speedometers lapsed since these parts are not available on the market.

"There is a lack of consultation with stakeholders," says social worker. The same for the rate increase parking coupons, which occurred last week. Only last Tuesday (15 February) that retailers have learned that the rates have increased and staff were very next day. And motorists, they have heard the news Wednesday, February 16, that is to say, the day of applying the new rules! And worse: drivers were forced to go to the Parking Unit at Jummah Mosque Street, to exchange the old parking coupons for the new! This has caused a snarl of motorists.

So, it still took an involvement by the authorities after implementing the new regulations of the law so that the old coupons are redeemable at retailers. "You have to inform the public well before law enforcement, even delaying the exercise, but requires that the public be made aware," says one to the department.

It is precisely to correct this shortcoming that the ministry will now perform the 'brainstorming'with the parties involved. "Now, when there will be new laws or regulations, we will consult all the bodies directly concerned. For example, for fire extinguishers should have been consulting with representatives of the Fire Services because they have the necessary expertise. Ditto for the speedometers. Importers have been consulted beforehand," says a representative of the department.

These laws are just the focus of interest of the Consumer Association of Mauritius (ACIM). Indeed, they are being scrutinized. "At ACIM, we see that laws are passed without any consultation. We are currently reviewing the rules of the road and will raise the issue with the authorities soon," says Jayen Chellum, ACIM.