Rallies illegal: Warning of the Prime Minister for motorcyclists

Motorcyclists involved in illegal rallies in the evening have been warned. The police is keeping watch and operations knuckle-fist are imminent. This is the statement made by Navin Ramgoolam, on Tuesday 12 July, the Parliament.He was responding to a supplementary question the member of the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), Deven Nagalingum, who wanted to know if measures were being considered by the police against the practice by groups of young people on the highways around the capital and elsewhere. Especially during the weekend. 

Previously, the prime minister could not give a specific answer to the initial question of Deven Nagalingum on the number of motorcyclists caught in contravention to noise pollution from October 2009 to date. Navin Ramgoolam has simply stated that the information is being compiled. 

As for the second part of the question about the sensors available to measure the amount of decibels generated, the Prime Minister stressed that the two examination centers of the National Transport Authority (NTA) are equipped with 'noise meters' to to carry out tests on vehicles suspected of exceeding the prescribed levels. 

In addition, the Prime Minister recalled that a committee chaired by the Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development, comprising representatives from various ministries, was established in June 2010. This one is in charge of'acquisition of equipment to better control emissions of black smoke from diesel vehicles and noise pollution in general, including motorcycles and mopeds. It was decided that ten 'sound level meters' and ten 'smoke meters' are ordered.

Exercise tender for the supply of this equipment is underway and, according to Navin Ramgoolam, it is expected that this material is available within three months. With respect to the fixed penalty in relation to excessive noise from motorcycles and mopeds, the Road Traffic Act 1962 already provides for a fine of Rs 1000.

The Prime Minister also asked the Minister of Public Infrastructure and Transport to review the legislation to provide tougher sentences for these offenses, if necessary. According to the Road Traffic (Control of Vehicle Emissions) Regulations 2002, the maximum permissible noise level for motorcycles and mopeds new is 79 decibels, while for those in circulation, it is 83 decibels. Exceed this noise level is an offense punishable by a fine not exceeding Rs 10,000.