Speed limit to avoid accidents: Young professionals share their views

Soon, the speed limit signs will change from 60km/h to 50km/h in the five towns of the country. The aim of this decision is to reduce road accidents and to adopt international standards. Will this decision reduce the number of accidents? Young professionals and young drivers debate the issue.

Thareenee Parapen: “Other measures should be taken”  

Thareenee says that the decision of reducing speed must be supported and she hopes that with such a step, the number of accidents will fall. “We should ask ourselves whether speed limitation in cities is the only measure that will reduce and prevent further casualties on our roads. What about indiscipline on roads?  For the 50 km/h to be efficient, other measures should be taken. For example, there should be better road safety awareness on television, radios, social networks and in schools.” She also argues that most pedestrians do not know traffic regulations, even though they are the most vulnerable in case of accidents. “The infrastructure should be improved and more lights where there is lack of visibility. Once these measures are introduced, reducing speed to 50 km/h will definitely contribute to the roads being safer in our country.” 

Niharika Hurree:“It is not the best solution” 

Niharika says that the roads of Mauritius have been witnessing an increasing number of terrible accidents. “Driving at a speed limit of 50 or 60km/h will not give young fellows a whirl enthusiastic feeling. Despite the fact that most of our road victims are those from a young age, speed has remained a thrilling fantasy for most of them. Therefore, limiting the speed will not be the best solution; there will always be some who will break the law. Limiting the speed to 50km or 60km can be a way to stop fatal road accidents.”  However, the young lady recalls that speed is not the only cause of road accident. “Reducing speed limit will not be the only solution to tackle this serious problem. As a matter of fact, weather conditions, road conditions which include the lack of street lighting in certain areas, have a huge impact on road accidents. People should be aware instinctively that they should reduce their speed in such cases.” 

Moozafar Cheergally: “It can contribute to reduce fatalities” 

Reducing speed limit only to 60 km/h or 50 km/h in some areas around Mauritius can contribute to reduce fatal accidents, states Moozafar. “In many areas of the Island, speed cameras have been installed to reduce speed but still that has not had the expected results. Instead, regular awareness campaign must be organised to inform drivers and the public in general about dangers of speeding. The public must be educated about the precautions to be taken while using the road. Severe actions must be taken for those using mobile phones while driving. The law should severely punish those who are drunk and still take the risk driving their vehicles in such conditions.”

Muhummud Ridwan Fakeerbaccus: “It can be a domino effect” 

Road accidents are inevitable, says Ridwan. “Applying speed limit in some particular zones will contribute to the reduction of road accidents in some cases only. This measure would have domino effects, it will increase traffic jams in regions where such measures will be applied. In addition, due to traffic jams, the active working population will be affected, as they will have a high level of lateness and this would affect productivity and cause loss to the organisation.” Ridwan adds that speed limit would not reduce the number of  accidents consistently or in a considerable way, as there are also different factors which contribute to accidents that need to be taken into consideration. 

Shah Mohamad Nawaz Sohoboo: “Speed limit must be enforced” 

Nawaz is of the view that despite all measures announced so far, the number of road accidents and road victims continues to rise. “Despite the sensitisation campaigns and measures to reduce the number of accidents and road deaths, the death toll has never been as high as now. Speed limit must be enforced by police and transport agencies with a small tolerance given to allow for variances in speedometer accuracy and to allow drivers some leeway if they temporarily drift up over the limit.”  

Manveer Aubeeluck: “It is will be a deterrent” 

Team leader of the United Mauritian Tuners, Manveer states that reducing speed limit down to 5 km/h will be a deterrent at the specific places. “We have to change the mindset of the drivers and riders instead. This can be conducted through regional workshops and sensitisation campaigns on a regular basis. The government needs to review the driving school regulations and implement a school for drivers, which may include effective and emergency braking, proper handling of vehicle at a higher speed than 40 km/h and defensive driving.”