Number Of Road Accidents Down But Number Of Victims Is Rising

Mere passengers, drivers gear with two wheels, pedestrians, drivers and cyclists continue to bear the brunt of the traffic accidents.

The latest report from Statistics Mauritius indicates that, compared to the first half of 2011, the number of victims of road traffic accidents increased from 1.693 to 1.727 for the same period in 2012. An increase of 2%. There were 69 deaths, 297 serious injuries and 1.361 people were slightly injured. During the first half of 2012, the distribution of victims of road traffic accidents is as follows: 27.3% were passengers, 38 2% of motorcyclists, pedestrians 17.2%, 14.9% and 2.4% of drivers were cyclists.

Element identified by Statistics Mauritius suggests that things could be otherwise. Compared to the first half of 2011, the number of vehicles has increased from 400.919 to 411.527. This represents an increase of 10, 608 or 2.6%. vehicles include motorized and non-motorized. However, for the same periods, the number of accidents fell by 747 cases. It went from 11.426 to 10.679. Fortunately, the vast majority (9.377) of these cases accidents was not injured. The balance is still worrisome. For 64 people lost their lives. Two hundred and forty-one (241) others were seriously injured and the rest will be 997 outputs are only minor injuries.

If the authorities are able to establish the statistical evaluation of road traffic accidents are unable to provide a detailed assessment of their financial involvement.

The Ministry of Health spokesman said that the implementation of such a project is under study. Ben Buntipilly, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister in road safety, the figure of Rs 2.9 billion per year. "financial cost of road accidents is estimated at 1.5% of what economic indicator Gross Domestic Product. "

The last detailed report on the subject bears the signature of British consultant, Alan Jones. That was in 2000. In 2002, the staff of the  Traffic Management & Road Safety Unit (TMRSU) under the leadership of Mohamed Saeed Jewon and Dharamdev Nathoo respectively Chief Engineer and Principal Engineer in a study entitled "Road Accidents Mauritius-An Engineering Perspective" discusses the aspect engineering subject.