Road Safety: Skepticism Towards Repressive Measures
Title: Road Safety: Skepticism Towards Repressive Measures
Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025 - 2:40 PM
Source: Defi Quotidien
An image captures a march held in the streets of Rose-Hill on Saturday, November 22, organized by the Movement for Road Safety and Justice.
In light of the alarming number of accidents caused by negligence on our roads, Mauritius plans to tighten its legislative framework. However, field experts believe that mere repression will not change the situation.
"Negligence on our roads kills, and the negligent is a criminal," stated Transport and Light Rail Minister Osman Mahomed during the show "At the Heart of Information" on November 21. He announced his intention to quickly submit a series of amendments to the Road Traffic Act to impose stricter penalties for dangerous behaviors. These amendments aim to more strictly define "vehicular negligence" and introduce aggravating circumstances that could even allow for the reclassification of involuntary manslaughter in specific cases.
This push for tougher legislation is based on a key observation: the nature of accidents has changed. "Previously, speed was the main factor. Today, it is primarily alcohol and drugs that cause accidents," the minister claims. Statistics support his view: 2,700 drivers have been apprehended for driving under the influence this year, and 700 for drug-related driving. He poses the question: "Is it still an accident when driving under the influence of prohibited substances?"
Alain Jeannot, president of Prevention Road Ahead (PRAT), provides a nuanced statistical perspective. "The overall number of accidents increases with the number of vehicles. However, the rate of accidents causing deaths and injuries has not risen; it has remained relatively stable over the last three years," he clarifies.
What stands out is the increasingly dramatic nature of accidents, often involving drugs, alcohol, and excessive speed. This is coupled with a trend of indifference where the lives of others and even the law are not respected. The rise in hit-and-run incidents reflects this: while the total number of such incidents has decreased since the early 2000s, cases involving vehicles and pedestrians have surged by 133% in four years. "This shows a lack of human respect and a problem with interpersonal relations," analyzes Alain Jeannot.
Another concerning indicator is the "fatality index"—the number of deaths per 100 victims, including injured and deceased—which has risen by 11% compared to the previous four years. This index particularly reflects excessive speeds during collisions. "The faster the speed during a collision, the more severe the consequences. This indicates that drivers are increasingly speeding without adhering to speed limits," observes the president of PRAT.
Questioning the Enforcement of Existing Laws
In response to the announcement of tougher legislation, field players express skepticism. "If the authorities struggle to enforce existing laws, I don't see how the introduction of new ones will change anything," argues Sanjeev Mewasingh, a road safety activist.
For him, the issue is not the legislative arsenal but its enforcement. Before tightening the laws, he advocates for mutual respect among road users and towards law enforcement. "The road is a shared space; everyone should respect each other. When there is no respect, the law should be enforced," he emphasizes.
The activist criticizes the "vigilance that has become like a sieve": motorcyclists riding without helmets or reflective vests, illegal rallies on certain roads leading to accidents. "It’s as if they see and hear nothing," he laments regarding law enforcement.
He also points out a crucial lack of resources and personnel to track down offenders. "It’s time to take a firm stand and utilize all available forces, like the Special Supporting Unit and the Special Mobile Force, and carry out roadblocks to discourage such practices," he insists, regretting that during peak accident periods, police checks are notably absent.
Sanjeev Mewasingh suggests that the police adopt modern tools like drones to track speeding offenders and catch them in the act. Rather than limiting operations to nighttime or weekends, law enforcement should work based on real-time information and adjust their vigilance accordingly. He also calls for synergy between the police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, as any failure affects the entire system.
The case of a young unlicensed driver who caused the death of Muzammil Hossenbocus in Camp-Levieux in early November illustrates these systemic dysfunctions. "The relatives of the young man who took the wheel and even the person who rented the vehicle should have known he was unlicensed. There was a lapse in the vehicle rental process. These vehicles should have speed-limiting systems," the activist notes, highlighting collective responsibility and flaws in the rental system.
Beyond this, a consensus emerges: the road safety crisis reflects a deeper social crisis. "What happens on our roads reflects the state of public consciousness," notes Alain Jeannot. "An average of 9,000 assaults per year does not indicate a composed and calm mentality."
PRAT’s president also emphasizes that the physical environment influences behaviors. It is necessary not only to review infrastructure but also to maintain it. "Besides guiding, informing, and warning, these infrastructures and furnishings inspire respect among road users. Neglected infrastructure encourages equal neglect among users," he explains. He regrets that targeted awareness campaigns are lacking in Mauritius and that modern technological means are underutilized.
Reforming Social Education
In the face of this behavioral drift, activists and experts advocate for a deep educational reform. Sanjeev Mewasingh is convinced that civic education courses should be reintroduced to promote more civility and courtesy on the roads. "We need to reform our social behavior system, whether for motorists, pedestrians, or all road users," he says.
He suggests establishing a code of conduct for pedestrians and other users, similar to the traffic code for drivers. "It’s unfortunate to say, but we need to reform children’s social education for a better tomorrow," he observes.
The activist also believes that decisions regarding road safety should no longer be made "in an office" between a few officials and police but should involve all stakeholders. He advocates for workshops and reflection days that allow for real awareness. "The more thinkers there are, the better it will be to find solutions. Safety should not be solely the concern of the relevant ministry and police, but everyone’s responsibility," he insists.
Alain Jeannot shares this long-term vision. While the PRAT president advocates for strict laws initially, he believes that in the medium and long term, "the time is ripe for establishing mandatory civic service in Mauritius. This will benefit not only the roads but society as a whole."
The Carrot and the Stick: A Combined Approach
Barlen Munusami, a road safety expert, seeks to reconcile these different approaches. He reminds us that it is possible to regulate behavior and correct the attitudes of certain users through two methods: the law represents the strong method, while education and awareness represent the softer method. "There are times when education and awareness are used, but it does not yield results," he notes. For him, it’s the "carrot and stick" method that should be advocated in parallel.
"When we toughen the law, it must be done according to the principle of 'general deterrence theory'," specifies Barlen Munusami. Under this theory, it is essential to ensure that the law is strict and that the punishment is heavier than the reward. Penalties must be sufficient to prevent recidivism and serve as a lesson for others.
The theory of general deterrence also relies on the principle of certainty of punishment. "The law should instill a fear that at any moment, a road user can be sanctioned, and that there are no double standards, where some are punished and others slip through the cracks," he explains.
For Barlen Munusami, as long as the principles of deterrence theory—severity, speed, and certainty—are adhered to and the law is enforced, then a tightening of legislation will bring about behavioral and attitudinal changes on the roads.