Road Safety: Awareness and Changes

Between January 1 and December 30, 2025, there were 115 fatal accidents resulting in 123 casualties on Mauritian roads. This is a slight decrease from the previous year, which recorded 125 accidents and 134 deaths in the same period. The situation remains serious, prompting the government to announce the implementation of a point-based driving license system.

The year 2026 is anticipated to be a turning point for road users. The police, the Ministry of Transport, and civil society are stepping up efforts to curb the rising death toll.

Collective Responsibility

"This is a long-term battle. Each year, we strive to reduce the number of accidents on our roads. However, we have more kilometers of roads and an increasing fleet of vehicles," emphasizes Chief Inspector Ramma from the Road Safety Unit of the Traffic Branch.

Awareness remains a crucial point in road safety. "Speeding, drunk driving, drug use, and ignoring traffic laws are factors contributing to fatal accidents. This year, we noticed a pattern. Out of the 115 fatal accidents recorded from January to December 2025, about thirty involved drivers who left the road, skidded, or hit a guardrail without any other vehicle being involved. We plan to propose solutions to prevent such incidents from occurring again," he explains.

Driving License

"Among the 123 fatalities in road accidents, thirteen only had a learner’s permit, and eighteen had no license at all. We must raise awareness among the public. We need to talk to vehicle owners and businesses to ensure they do not lend their vehicles to just anyone. We also need to address parents. Collective responsibility is essential. Everyone must feel concerned."

Authorities are counting on the point-based license system to encourage users to adopt more responsible behavior on the roads. "In 2024, 5,363 drivers had their licenses disqualified for infractions. In 2025, 4,949 were affected. With the point system, people will be more aware of the consequences," he explains.

The situation is alarming. "It’s unfortunate, but our data shows that despite the presence of fixed cameras in several areas, residents continue to speed, even in monitored zones," laments Chief Inspector Mohit Ramma.

Even after the holiday season, the police plan to increase their vigilance. "During the festive season, we usually conduct checks in Grand-Baie, Flic-en-Flac, and other entertainment areas on weekends. However, we will be present on the roads every day. After the holidays, we will continue to maintain our presence," he assures.

A particular focus will be on the elderly. "In 2025, 46 seniors died on our roads. We are collaborating with Social Security and other organizations to reduce this trend for the coming year. Together with the Traffic Management Road Safety Unit, we will continue awareness efforts in primary schools. Teachers have been trained by the Road Safety Unit. Courses will gradually be digitized. From a young age, children must understand the importance of road safety," shares Mohit Ramma.

Buses

Two people in a bus died in 2025. For 2026, the Ministry of Transport plans to introduce new standards for public transport. A major change is expected from 2025 to 2029, as a comprehensive reform of the sector is in preparation to strengthen control and reliability of bus services on the roads.

The future legal framework will impose stricter regulations on industry professionals. The procedures for issuing and renewing licenses for drivers, conductors, and terminal managers will be revised, introducing mandatory codes of conduct. The goal is clear: to hold players accountable, limit risky behaviors, and improve adherence to traffic laws.

Safety will also be enhanced through the integration of new technologies. All buses operating on regular routes will be equipped with a fleet management system, GPS, and surveillance cameras. These devices will allow for real-time tracking of vehicles, better control of speed, stops, and driver behavior, while facilitating interventions in case of incidents.

The Fleet Management System will play a central role in accident prevention. By improving route planning, vehicle maintenance, and daily operation supervision, it will help reduce mechanical failures and dangerous maneuvers, which are often the cause of tragedies on the road.

CCTV

With nearly 2,000 buses in operation transporting over 450,000 passengers daily, enhancing safety in public transport becomes a major national security issue. The implementation of CCTV cameras, without live broadcasting, aims to bolster onboard security, while cashless ticketing should reduce fraud, streamline boarding, and improve the overall efficiency of the public transport system. This reform aims to make buses a safer, more disciplined, and reliable mode of transport, contributing to the overall reduction of road accidents.

As of now, 1,991 buses are operational in Mauritius and Rodrigues, transporting over 450,000 passengers daily. The state allocates Rs 2.47 billion annually for compensation and subsidies, in addition to Rs 100 million designated for modernizing the sector.