Dr. Varma, Sociologist: "Criminalization is Largely Symbolic"
Dr. Oomandra Nath Varma, a sociologist, discusses the shifting dynamics in Mauritian society regarding road safety and the rising outrage over fatal accidents.
He notes that for years, tragic road incidents were met with resignation, but now there is a collective indignation and public protests. This shift stems from a major social evolution: growing frustration over the repeated loss of young lives, declining trust in institutions, and a realization that many fatal collisions are avoidable and caused by reckless behavior.
The public anger reflects the perception that negligent driving, often linked to speed, alcohol, or drugs, has become normalized. Many Mauritians now view these actions as morally akin to intentional violence.
Comments from Minister Osman Mahomed, who equated certain behaviors to "premeditated murder," resonate with many, highlighting that calling these incidents mere "accidents" downplays their preventable nature.
Varma also discusses the impact of social media, noting how platforms like Facebook and TikTok have transformed the Mauritian relationship with road safety, as they allow citizens to document and share previously unseen scenes of accidents, creating emotional connections rather than abstract statistics. However, he warns that this viral outrage is often fleeting and requires organized, sustained mobilization for real change.
The collective sentiment expressed by the slogan "Nou kont bann sofer kriminel" (We are against criminal drivers), used in protests, signifies a profound shift in moral vocabulary and collective judgment among Mauritians. However, societal signals remain contradictory, as events like the Port Louis rally celebrate reckless driving skills, raising questions about the normalization of risk.
The sociologist emphasizes that the push for stricter laws is not just about excessive repression but is born from frustration with institutional inertia. When citizens perceive weak or biased law enforcement, they resort to moral language to demand quicker responses.
He points out that the shift from viewing fatal accidents as mere chance to seeing them as crimes marks a sociological shift in understanding road violence. Many Mauritians are beginning to reject the notion that all collisions are random, recognizing predictable patterns of dangerous driving.
Despite billions invested in safety measures, the government has hesitated to systematically enforce speed monitoring, leaving many infrastructural issues unaddressed. Daily practices, like reckless driving by buses and pedestrians crossing without caution, contribute to a culture that accepts dangerous behavior as normal.
Varma concludes that changing road culture requires more than blame; it demands structural consistency in law enforcement, political courage, and a redefinition of social acceptability. Only when caution becomes visibly practiced by all can road safety be integrated into the country's social identity.
The criminalization of reckless driving is viewed as a partial response to grieving families' needs, offering institutional recognition but failing to address deeper emotional or relational needs. The sociologist argues that our driving behavior mirrors our relationship with rules and authority, revealing how we perceive collective responsibility.
He highlights the role of alcohol sales in road safety, noting the absence of a culture of "responsible service" and calling for coordinated strategies to address the risks associated with alcohol consumption. Additionally, he advocates for a shift from punitive measures to preventive strategies in road safety, emphasizing the importance of better education from a young age and improved infrastructure.
Ultimately, Varma stresses that transforming dangerous behaviors requires a cultural shift towards mutual respect and shared responsibility rather than blame, advocating for innovative educational approaches that emphasize experiential learning and empathy.