Road kills one child every three days. Already, the balance for the period January to March 2013 is worse than last year for the same period.
Since the beginning of the year, there were 31 fatal accidents that killed 33 people. During the same period in 2012, there were 26. Inspector Jocelyn Mootooveeren, the Road Safety Unit, said the campaigns intensify and that the distribution of 'Counterpart Driving Licence' is part of these campaigns. This document, which will be annexed to the license, the driver will indicate the number of points he has accumulated through the introduction of penalty points.
"The distribution of the" Counterpart Driving Licence is, in itself, an awareness campaign. And at the police, we will ensure that the law is enforced. The penalty points will make motorists more careful on the roads. They will be more vigilant because they know they will be punished and that their license may skip. Thus, the offenses of speeding or driving while intoxicated will be less frequent and accidents will decrease accordingly, "said the inspector Mootooveeren.
The demerit points come into force on April 1. However, motorists are not solely responsible for accidents. There are also pedestrians. The inspector Mootooveeren says many fatal accidents this year, due to the fact that older people are left to themselves: "This is a real problem. There are a lot of seniors who are not only on the roads. We noticed that many accidents, some fatal, are caused by pedestrians, including elderly people. We need to educate all road users without exception. '
The Ministry of Public Infrastructure and the 'Traffic Management and Road Safety Unit, continue to broadcast commercials on MBC on road safety for cars and two-wheelers. Billboards across the island are also a powerful tool to convey this message as well as buses. Security is more than ever a priority.
Everyone is warned. In 2011, a video produced by Road Safety Before All (PRAT) and directed by Reza Peeroo, has highlighted the dangers facing two-wheelers. The purpose of this advertisement for a period of 30 seconds is to educate the rider on the importance of being careful on the road, given their greater vulnerability.
Prevention
For Alain Jeannot, president of the NGO PRAT, prevention is crucial. He believes that culture should be inculcated in Mauritius and that road safety should be included in the school curriculum. According to him, the penalty points will improve the situation on our roads.
"It will curb the irresponsible behavior of some motorists, as their freedom of movement is threatened. Many factors are responsible for accidents, alcohol, phone while driving, fatigue, non-compliance with the rules of the road. Then, there are also other road users. Pedestrians, for example, still wearing dark clothes despite all the warnings. This creates a serious problem of visibility, "says Alain Jeannot.
He added that cyclists are also to blame. If they wore fluorescent bands, they would be seen 140 meters and it could avoid a lot of accidents, says Alain Jeannot. "The factors that cause accidents on our roads are still the same. This is why despite the penalty points, we must continue to raise awareness and educate. In TARP, we focus on awareness and prevention. '
33 'black spots' identified
They are called 'black spots'. There are various factors that make our roads deadly, 'black spots' are also included. These are the places where accidents happen often and where to be vigilant. If there are superstitious occult events, there are tangible explanations of these accidents occur in the same places. In particular, the infrastructure itself and speed.
33 'black spots' have been identified and authorities have developed measures to try to reduce the risk of accidents at these locations. Among the revision of the infrastructure of roads, speed limits, installing cameras and more rigorous monitoring.
July 15, 2012, a double accident occurred at Calebasses, killing Vallet Yan, aged 30, on the spot, while the other victim, Leelawtee Sookaye, 67, died six days later. Both victims were reversed by a Porsche while they were helping other injured. That day it was raining and the road was slippery. This is not the first accident that occurs in this place which is on the list of 'black spots'.
Martine, too, was a victim of an accident at this location. If his car was considered a total loss, she survived. That was in 1999. "On rainy days, it is a real watershed. It is this accumulation of water which made me lose control of my vehicle and I did the aqua planing 'several meters.
I made at least four barrels before finishing against a tree. My car was unrecoverable. I was very lucky. I went out with a few scratches, but morally, I was very affected. However, just as I was recovering from my emotions, another car arrived and it happened exactly the same thing. It's as if I was reliving my own accident. The driver is also out, "says this woman of forty years.
