Young Professionals - Road Safety Campaigns: where are we failing? 

Despite severe laws and regulations as well as sensitization campaigns, road accidents are still a major concern for our small country. Since the start of this year, we have witnessed horrifying accidents where our young people have lost their lives. Are our campaigns failing? What is really lacking?

Neelesh Kumar Bundhoo : “The blame game should stop” 

According to Neelesh, relevant authorities and NGO’s have been working together to find the right solution, as this has become a national issue. “The blame game should stop and all individuals should start taking responsibility for their own actions. Our norm on the road encompasses carelessness, lack of respect and courtesy. Educating and informing our nation about the right way is what we really need to do. Introduction of Road Safety in our educational curriculum will be training our youngsters to be more conscious and better road users in the future.”

He argues that a probationary driving license programme should be set up and our sensitization campaigns should be updated and polished to be taken seriously by the nation. “Maintenance of infrastructure should be dealt with great care on a regular basis. If the authority and population start taking responsibility and do their duty towards their country, we as a nation shall succeed in having control over this national predicament.”  

Humaira Kayamdy : “Not enough security on our roads”

Pushing the speed limit is verily a good way to reach office on time but unfortunately, it can make you lose control of your vehicle, avers Humaira. “Taking alcohol is very common and people continue to drive while being drunk leading them to drive recklessly: They change lanes too quickly or act aggressively. Finally, while the road is slippery during rainy hours, one should abstain from driving to avoid visibility issues. The Government does not provide enough security on roads at night. More street lightings should be placed to increase visibility and also, there should be continuous police patrols on the roads, urging people to stay within legal limits.” 

Mohamad Anas Sakhawoth : “There is a huge education problem” 

In today’s modern society, road accidents have become an unstoppable evil, which is continuously, almost daily, taking lives despite all measures and sensitization campaigns undertaken by the Government, says Anas Sakhawoth. “There is a huge education problem in Mauritius concerning driving education and training. The archaic system and procedures in order to obtain a valid driving license need to be reviewed urgently, as it has become obsolete. A fully-equipped training institution should be set up to provide the appropriate kind of learning that will turn future drivers into responsible persons.” 

He further adds, “Despite all these campaigns and strict legislatives, some drivers are still senseless or have simply lost their grip, as they still drink and drive. A plausible and modern infrastructure will certainly prevent reckless driving. Road accidents are certainly a problem which cannot be eliminated at all but it can, however, be reduced.”

Roshik Rughoonauth : “Rash behavior is a concern” 

Road accidents will never be eradicated, despite any measure or campaign taken beforehand, affirms Roshik Rughoonauth. “The inherently rash behaviour of drivers cannot be so easily overwritten. Often accidents happen owing to a wrongful transfer of stress and anger from personal or professional life into the wheel of the car, clouding one’s judgement. However, excuses for the lack of courtesy barely exist. Evidently, one can pinpoint the severe paucity of education on that matter. Moreover, the long traffic jams do not help. It simply builds up frustration later unleashed as speeding up or other forms.”  

We can, nonetheless, hope to reduce these figures, he adds. “2018’s main governmental campaign focused on this issue. It is, however, alarming that there was a serious lack of responsiveness from drivers with a less than 5% decrease in road accidents, considering all measures taken. Clearly that campaign missed the mark.” 

Anisha Kisoon : “No cooperation among our drivers” 

The number of motor vehicles is rapidly increasing, leading to a leap in the amount of road accidents, she reveals.  “Many fatal accidents are occurring, as drivers and pedestrians tend to be more reckless causing an alarming death toll.  Moreover, driving over speed limit is a common practice for many drivers, which vastly increases the risk of losing control of a vehicle.  Drink driving is another major cause that occurs mainly on weekdays and holidays when people drive after consuming alcohol, leading to a reduction in response time and ability to focus on the road.”

She highlights that some accidents are also caused by pedestrians violating general rules in walking and crossing the roads despite sensitisation campaigns and mass media. “Sometimes, accidents can be provoked by lack of visibility on roads at night, dangerous turns and potholes when drivers tend to avoid them.  In this busy world of today, despite educating the citizens, the latter always seems impatient and in a rush without adhering to the set of rules and regulations of traffic. Some drivers are not even ready to adjust and there is no co-operation in using the roads with many limitations.”