Number of Accidents Caused Gadgets Concerned Authorities

Objectives: raising awareness of emerging technologies, like intelligent transport systems, discuss the impact of the use of mobile phones and tablets at the wheel, and elaborate on the government's strategy on road safety in the connection with the use of ICT.

Government policy in the use of ICTs to improve road safety, existing and emerging technologies on road safety and intelligent transport systems ... These are the topics yesterday at a workshop organized in the framework of the World Telecommunication and Information Society. To help educate the public about opportunities offered by the use of the Internet and other information technology and communication in the economic and social fields, as well as ways to reduce this day aims to digital divide. Since 1969, the World Telecommunication Day is celebrated every year on May 17, marking the creation of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865.

In his speech at the opening of the workshop, the Minister of ICT, Tassarajen Pillay Chedumbrum, said that 1.3 million people die each year in accidents while 20 to 50 million people are injured in the world, mainly in developing countries.

Driver distraction and driver behavior - which includes texting and the use of navigation systems or communication while driving - are among the main factors leading to accidents. No fewer than 152 deaths were recorded on our roads in 2011, against 156 in 2012. According to the minister, distracted driving is a major contributor to road accidents. This includes adjusting the radio, using the mobile or the fact of looking at billboards or those at the roadside. The use of mobile phones or tablets may further encourage the driver to not focus on the road and not have his hands on the wheel. This type of behavior, the minister said, is called "cognitive distraction." ITU says Tassarajen Pillay Chedumbrum, has developed "state of the art standard" ICT for Intelligent Transportation Systems and driver safety, which use a combination of computers, communications systems, positioning and automation technologies, including radar, in the car to avoid collisions.

Hamadoun Touré, ITU Secretary-General, in his message in the context of the World Telecommunication and Information Society, urged all Member States to take concrete steps to increase national and international policies, programs or educational initiatives on the use of ICTs to improve road safety, taking into account the risks associated with the misuse of ICT and causes of driver distractions. Electronic technology advancing at an exponential rate, Mauritius, the Minister stressed, must work in this direction.

Minister welcomes ICT secondly install 50 new speed cameras in the "high spot Risks" on the highway and secondary roads. He cites a study by the Cochrane Collaboration in 2011 on the assessment of the effectiveness of speed cameras on traffic, speeding, accidents, injuries and deaths. The study found a decrease in the number of accidents by 49% to ... 8%.