Penalty Points, One Month After Entry into Force: Mixed Record

On 10 May 2013, Mauritian motorists discovered a brand new system: the penalty points. In short, from that date, and according to the offense, the driver may not only put his hand to the pocket, but is parallel also expect bailing points.

Up 15 points, he risks losing his license for a period of six months. In case of recidivism, the driver must start all over again and return all the steps to obtain a new license. Clearly, in case of repeated offenses, the driver's license is threatened. A new deal for road users. And that, in a month, has had an impact at different levels of drivers.

Ben Buntipilly, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister's Office in road safety, does not hide his satisfaction recorded month results. "The introduction of the penalty points system has had the desired effect.

Certainly, habits do not change overnight. But we feel good that there has been a growing awareness on the roads, "says our interlocutor. According to him, the deterrent strategy implemented by the police force "works perfectly." "It is a success on three levels, whether the legislation itself, the implementation of measures and in the judiciary," also finds Ben Buntipilly.

Side of the central barracks, it also expresses satisfaction with the work done for the first effective month of penalty points. "The measures taken are that motorists are more careful on the roads," said do we.

"The penalty points has resulted in improved accountability motorists. It is rather positive, although it is too early to see any real effects of the introduction of this system. Should wait another year for it, "says, for his part Alain Jeannot, president of the NGO Road Safety Before All (TARP).

The latter, despite a good report, regrets that there is not a more holistic policy on road safety. He emphasized that there is not just cars on the road. "The introduction of penalty points has certainly been positive on all four wheels. But it also put into perspective the recurring indiscipline of two-wheelers and especially pedestrians, "says Alain Jeannot. One thing that joins that of Raffick Bahadoor, president of the Taxi Proprietors Union, the association of taxi drivers. "It is unfortunate that there is not always appropriate legislation for two-wheelers and pedestrians. It's a big gap, "says the latter.

This highlights the shortcomings of the present system of penalties for road safety, explains Alain Jeannot substance. "Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable to accidents, far more than motorists," said the latter. And the pedestrian category, there are many elderly people who are more vulnerable. And Alain Jeannot remember this number: more than 60 years represent 11% of the population, while they account for 25% of pedestrian accidents.

Satisfaction on the current system even penalty points also shows its limits among the main stakeholders. Haniff Peerun, President of the Mauritius Labour Congress and bargaining employees in the transport sector, believes that the entry into force of the system has led to a worsening of traffic jams. "Motorists now run in fear. So that it causes delays in the workplace and in schools. This is a fact. So, the penalty points is a fiasco. "