The Points License According to Prominent Figures: Responsibility and Education to Save Lives

The points license as seen by prominent figures emphasizes the need for driver accountability and education to save lives. Ministers and a former elected official reflect on their early driving experiences while stressing the urgency of making drivers more responsible. They believe that a points license is a crucial tool that must be complemented by education, awareness, and clear signage.

Kaviraj Sukon: "Every point lost should make us reflect"

Since taking office as Minister of Tertiary Education, Science, and Research, Kaviraj Sukon has not only focused on reforming universities but also closely observes the challenges faced by Mauritian society, including road safety. He firmly states, "The points license is one of the most important tools to reduce the number of accidents." According to him, this system sends a strong message to daily drivers: every offense—speeding, recklessness, indiscipline—matters and can have dramatic consequences. "We have lost too many loved ones, too many friends, too many innocent lives on our roads," he adds, remembering those who have lost someone in a road accident. For him, establishing—or restoring—a points license is not about repression: "it's about defending life."

At 54 years old, the minister reflects nostalgically yet realistically on his early driving days. He obtained his license in July 1990 at 19 and recalls buying his first car, an Austin Maxi, in 1996. He reminisces about a time when driving represented freedom, but over the years, that passion evolved into a sense of responsibility: "I have never been a big fan of cars as a status symbol. To me, it was just a means of transport."

This perspective lends him credibility when discussing road safety. He talks not only about the points license but also about road education and awareness. "We cannot just punish; we must educate. We must teach young drivers and drivers of all ages that a turn, an overtaking—it's a choice. A choice that can save or destroy," he explains.

For Minister Sukon, the state must foster "a culture of respect and responsibility." The points license would be the ideal framework: a transparent, fair, and deterrent system. "Every lost point should prompt reflection. But every driver should also have the opportunity to redeem themselves, to show they have changed," he believes.

Through his lens as an academic, politician, citizen, and driver, Kaviraj Sukon calls for mobilization. "Not just laws, but hearts." "The points license can be a symbol of seriousness. But without a real change in mentality, it will just be another piece of paper," he argues.

In summary: yes to penalties, but especially to education. Yes to limitations, but above all to responsibility. For him, making Mauritius a safer country is possible... "As long as we never forget that the road is life."

Sydney Pierre: "I lost 5 points and since then I've understood"

The Junior Minister for Tourism, who knows the roads of Mauritius better than most, believes that the points license is a good decision that has already proven effective. He discusses its psychological impact on drivers, sharing his own experience of losing 5 points for speeding. He emphasizes the need for additional measures like more cameras and better-positioned radars to enhance road safety. "We must strengthen the system as a whole," he insists.

Anishta Babooram: "I was fined for speeding"

As a Junior Minister of Health, Anishta Babooram passionately advocates for the points license, viewing it as a pedagogical tool for driver responsibility. She considers driving a privilege and recalls her youthful mistakes with humor.

Jyoti Jeetun: "A courageous decision to save lives"

For Financial Services Minister Jyoti Jeetun, the return of the points license is an urgent necessity. She stresses the government's responsibility to take courageous measures to protect lives on the road.

Farhad Aumeer: "I lost two points twice"

As a committed MP and physician, Dr. Farhad Aumeer welcomes the points license's return, emphasizing its role in holding drivers accountable. He calls for strict penalties for the most dangerous behaviors, like driving under the influence, and reflects on his own driving history with a sense of accountability.

Overall, the consensus among these prominent figures is clear: the points license is vital for promoting responsibility and ensuring road safety in Mauritius, and it must be complemented by education and awareness initiatives.