More than a million people die each year on the world’s roads. Current trends suggest that by 2030 road traffic deaths will become the fifth leading cause of death unless urgent action is taken. Many countries have successfully adopted strategies to reduce their road traffic deaths, but more still needs to be done to make our roads safer.
The Global status report on road safety 2013 presents information on road safety from 182 countries, accounting for almost 99% of the world’s population. The report indicates that worldwide the total number of road traffic deaths remains unacceptably high at 1.24 million per year. Only 28 countries, covering 7% of the world’s population, have comprehensive road safety laws on five key risk factors: drinking and driving, speeding, and failing to use motorcycle helmets, seat-belts, and child restraints. Over a third of road traffic deaths in low- and middle-income countries are among pedestrians and cyclists. However, less than 35% of low- and middle-income countries have policies in place to protect these road users.
In Mauritius, government is taking the issue seriously and the Penalty Points System (PPS) has at last materialised. At the same time, the authorities are increasing the number of speed tracking cameras around the island. The overall effect is to provoke a change in the mindset of Mauritian drivers. Police sources indicate that a positive change in driving habit has indeed been noted on the roads during the past few days. But how long will this trend last? Already, there are reports of hundreds of motorists caught offending since the coming into force of the PPS in spite of strong warnings.
During the year 2012, some 156 persons died as a result of road accidents against 152 in 2011, and 158 in 2010. The number of seriously injured was 545 in 2012, 487 in 2011 and 569 in 2010. It should be noted that pedestrians and riders of two-wheelers account for a large proportion of road deaths. For example, in 2012, out of the 156 road victims, 70 were bikers and 44 were pedestrians. Whilst it is acknowledged that these two groups are the most vulnerable on our roads, sadly, road infrastructure development does not adequately take their safety into consideration.
Penalty points: ‘exempted’ offences
The much awaited Penalty Points System, though much dreaded by some motorists, especially professional drivers, will definitely play a dissuasive role. However, when compared to similar system in other countries, the local one seems very lenient in terms of punishment. For example, the British system does not leave any chance for reoffending as, for most offences, a repeat will end you crossing the 12-point limit, where you are likely to be disqualified from driving.
Yet, in Mauritius, drink driving, which is a major cause of road accidents in Mauritius, is ‘exempted’ from penalty points. The argument of the Minister of Transport that this offence already carries severe punishment under the Road Traffic Act and giving penalty points would amount to double punishment holds no water since all offences are equally punished under existing laws.
As a comparison, in the UK, offences such as drink driving or drug driving or causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs carries up to 11 penalty points, and the endorsement remains on the Driving Licence for 11 years as from the date of conviction! However, Ben Buntipilly, Special Adviser on Road Safety did say that more offences could be added to the local system in future. Private vehicles plying as taxis (taxi marron) have also been left off the hook under a last minute revision of the system before it went live last Friday.
Cameras and penalty points: are they enough?
Installing more speed cameras and introducing driving penalty points are the two main measures brought about to curb road accidents. But are these enough? Whilst these measures will surely produce results over the coming months, there are still more to be done to improve road safety, as there are many other factors which increase accident risks on our roads.
Poor road conditions
Many of our roads lack proper maintenance and pot holes represent a serious threat to users, especially two wheelers. For example, the road from Les Mariannes to Montagne Longue is ridden with pot holes, some of them invisible from far, as they are located round a bend.
Poor road infrastructures
Many pedestrian crossings are located at the wrong place. The authorities seem to be aware of that, given the number of zebra crossings frequently displaced. However, they always make the mistake of not properly removing old markings, with the result that, old zebra crossings remain visible and confused pedestrians still use them. In some areas, there are no zebra crossings at all, such as the busy Mgr Leen Avenue in Port Louis, whilst in most areas, such as villages, chances are that there is a single zebra crossing. In some case, the zebra crossing itself is located in a dangerous zone, right on a bend! The absence of pavements also contributes to pedestrians’ insecurity. In some regions narrow roads are flanked by open drains on both sides, leaving no space for pedestrians, especially school children. Elsewhere, encroachment on pavements, such as unauthorized building extension or hawking of goods, mainly in the towns, forces people to walk on the road.
Careless pedestrians
Whilst the law is getting tougher against motorists, careless pedestrians are able to escape the long arm of the law due to absence of provisions to regulate them. People often cross the road outside designated crossings, or cross the motorway instead of using overhead footbridges. However, some argue that footbridges are too far away and not convenient. For example, in the Riche Terre industrial area, factory workers have to cross the motorway in the absence of ‘passerelles’.
Dangerous parking
Another safety hazard is the issue of trade licences to premises located on busy areas or on curves but which have no parking space. It is common for cars or goods vehicle to park lengthily on dangerous curves, despite the presence of double yellow lines, thus putting other road users at risk. Haphazard parking of vehicles is also a new trend on busy roads or even motorways due to a proliferation of food, fruit and vegetable vendors by the road side, luring motorists who just stop abruptly or park in dangerous situations, totally indifferent to the safety of others. Vendors can be seen along the northern motorway and also along the Moka-Quartier Militaire Road, especially at Verdun, and at various locations across the island. To improve safety, it would be most appropriate for the authorities to install proper lay-bys in these areas instead of turning a blind eye to these hazards.
Routine checks
Police routinely stop vehicles at random and check out things like road tax, insurance, driving license, the state of the vehicle, etc. If the police have reasonable suspicion that the driver is under the influence of alcohol, they can also request him to undergo an alcotest.
Whilst the purpose of routine checks is to curb crimes, detect offences and make drivers more responsible, it is common to find out such routine checks being carried out at inappropriate places. For example, sometimes police officers are seen to be stopping vehicles on a bend, or at a bus stop lay by, thus forcing the bus to stop on the road. On the motorway, sometimes vehicles are stopped abruptly, the officers failing to judge the speed of the traffic following them, forcing them to brake suddenly. The fear of being stopped by police prompts some drivers, especially of vans and trucks, to drive on the fast lane. Even then, motorists have reported seeing policemen signaling to vehicles on the fast lane to switch to the left for a routine check. This is indeed a dangerous game as they are also putting their own lives in danger.
Dangerous rules
In 2012, 306 buses were involved in accidents. Private operated buses are always accused of speeding and reckless driving. However, some of them claim they are forced to speed, in order to satisfy the rules set by the National Transport Authority. “A bus has to complete a trip within a set time. In my case, I have to move from Goodlands to SSRN Hospital in 30 minutes. If I take longer, then I am liable to a penalty, which means no further trip for the next four hours,” says a bus driver operating in the north. “That is why we are compelled to speed to catch up, when we have lost time in congestion or when passengers take too much time to embark or get off. Getting a penalty means loss of revenue.”
Other drivers say that with the installation of speed limiters, it is impossible to effect a trip within the set duration. “This is why some bus owners are disconnecting the limiters to enable them speed up.” Passengers have also complained that some bus drivers are often using mobile phones whilst driving, especially in rural areas where they are less likely to be intercepted by police. Worse, even bus conductors, engrossed in text messaging, fail to give necessary signals to bus drivers at junctions.
UN Decade of Action for Road Safety
The Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 was officially proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in March 2010. Its goal is to stabilise and reduce the forecast level of road traffic deaths around the world. It is estimated that 5 million lives could be saved on the world’s roads during the Decade. The United Nations Road Safety Collaboration has developed a Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 as an overall framework for activities which may take place in the context of the Decade. The categories or ‘pillars’ of activities are: road safety management, safer roads and mobility, safer vehicles, safer road users and post-crash response.
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