Road Accidents: A Deep Dive into Investigations
Title: Road Accidents: A Deep Dive into Investigations
Content: Dive into the daily lives of Mauritian investigators: from responding to accident sites to reconstructing events, discover the behind-the-scenes of a meticulous and crucial process.
Transport Minister Osman Mahomed's announcement of a crackdown on road offenses brings attention to police procedures in cases of road violations or accidents. Members of the Road Safety Unit (RSU) shed light on the matter.
"It’s a race against time when arriving at an accident scene," explains one officer. "Saving lives is the absolute priority." Actions taken in the first few seconds can be critical: "Sometimes a small gesture can save a person’s life."
Commenting on hit-and-run incidents, where the injured are left behind, the authorities' message is clear: assistance must be provided or at the very least, the police should be alerted. "Sometimes a person finds someone unconscious and panics and runs away. But that small gesture can cost someone’s life; you must not leave the scene," asserts an RSU official.
However, he acknowledges that in certain situations, involved drivers face hostile crowds. In such cases, he emphasizes that the best course of action is to go to the nearest police station or make a simple call to 148 or 999. "It is the police investigation that will establish the facts and determine responsibilities," he clarifies.
The police, assisted by firefighters, then ensure the quick clearance of roads, highlighting the importance of not leaving damaged vehicles at the scene. "This can create another source of danger. We must ensure the passage of emergency vehicles, including ambulances," states a member of the Traffic Branch.
In major accidents, temporary lanes are created for emergency vehicles, reveals a Traffic Branch officer: "Sometimes, we close one lane in the opposite direction which is strictly used for emergency service vehicles." Firefighters, trained in evacuating and rescuing victims trapped in vehicles, play a crucial role in these operations.
It is also essential that motorists involved in the accident, or even witnesses to the scene, cooperate to prevent further dangers or additional accidents, it is reminded.
The Reconstruction: A Delicate Exercise
Once the emergency has passed, the actual investigation begins. At the scene, police follow an established protocol: identifying witnesses, recording their accounts, and making visual assessments sometimes supported by surveillance camera footage. Officers check the validity of licenses, insurance, and technical inspection certificates. The condition of vehicles and the state of the road are meticulously examined. Experts analyze braking and impact marks, inspect braking systems, and check tire conditions.
An overall assessment of the condition of involved drivers is also conducted when they are not injured enough to require medical treatment. Besides breathalyzers or drug tests, the mindset of drivers is taken into account, and observations are documented. A former Traffic Branch official believes this aspect needs further investigation: "We need to conduct a study on this… Each accident has its own particularities. The conditions of the drivers or the other protagonists of an accident are not the same," he points out.
Identifying the actual driver often poses a significant issue. Even when someone spontaneously presents themselves as the driver, investigators demand precise details about the impact distance, braking marks, and their consistency with statements made. "Sometimes when this person provides information that doesn't corroborate, we know they are taking a charge and it wasn't them behind the wheel," explain the officers.
In some cases, seasoned investigators quickly manage to extract essential facts and identify areas of anomaly. Elements like braking marks offer indications about a vehicle's speed or the direction of impact. When the police have photos or videos of an accident, the involved parties, suspects, or witnesses are confronted with them to restore the facts of the events. CCTV images are now contributing to investigations. "Sometimes there are two drivers involved, and no one accepts fault. Thanks to video footage, we see what actually happened," they continue.
The involved parties and witnesses are then called to participate in a reconstruction of the events at the very scene of the accident. "The importance of doing this at similar times is to get an accurate idea of how events unfolded. Visibility and traffic density are important," experienced investigators explain.
These reconstructions, which require the consent of those involved, are systematically documented by photographers and videographers from the Scene of Crime Office (SOCO). On-site, participants must highlight key points mentioned in their statements and describe step-by-step what happened according to their accounts.
Procedures Considered Too Slow
Despite these protocols, some cases present gray areas. When two parties provide contradictory accounts, the police examine all evidence to establish the most credible version. The individuals involved are then confronted with the retained elements and often end up delivering the accurate facts in a supplementary statement. "Often people say there was no braking in the vehicle because it crashed. Then we check if there are marks on the road."
Vehicle maintenance logs may also be reviewed. "Investigators must be clever. Experience is an asset," summarizes a senior officer.
This judicial mechanism, however, faces recurring criticism. A former Traffic Branch officer highlights the slowness of procedures related to breath tests and drug screening. He advocates for the establishment of a Fast Track method to finalize cases within 15 days for positive results. He also suggests the creation of a Counter Court for drivers contesting the results.
Referring to European systems, this former officer argues for mandatory weekend refresher classes for drivers flagged for various offenses, modeled after "Code Blue" operations, and for an appropriate rehabilitation system. As for the points-based license, he views it as a means of repression, though he doubts its effectiveness.
What to Do in Case of a Road Accident
"In the event of an accident, first aid is vital. Call 112 or 999 for police and ambulances, 114 for SAMU, or 115 for firefighters," explains Alain Jeannot, head of the road safety prevention association (Prat).
He emphasizes the importance of not crowding the scene to take photos or videos. "An accident is a human tragedy and not an excuse to create a buzz. Stop this bad behavior! Some Mauritians do not understand that they must yield the road to emergency services," he laments. He also recommends having a first aid rescuer in every family.