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| | Par:- Par Par Ariane Cavalot de l’Estrac
On 26/06/2011 |
Semi-échec, notre lutte contre la mortalité sur les routes. Avec une moyenne de 150 victimes par an, nous ne sommes, certes, pas dans le rouge sur l’échelle mondiale de cette épidémie, décrétée la plus violente du siècle à venir. Mais les résultats ne sont pas à la mesure de notre effort de conscientisation, de reconstruction des infrastructures et de sophistication des techniques. En dix ans, alors que la France, par exemple, a réduit de moitié le nombre de ses morts, de 8 000 à 4 000, nos chiffres ont à peine évolué. Même si, par rapport au nombre de véhicules sur les routes, ce taux a diminué. Pourquoi ?
La dernière séance parlementaire a amené certains éléments de réponse. Une vague maîtrise des données sur l’insécurité routière, pourtant abondantes ; la tentation de réagir émotionnellement après les drames, au détriment d’une analyse rationnelle des causes plus profondes… Dans l’échange entre le Premier ministre et le leader de l’opposition, le premier a répété qu’il ne possédait pas des chiffres, pourtant en apparence élémentaires, se risquant même dans un cas à avouer qu’il ne croyait pas que la police les avait. Le second, lui, s’appuyant sur le drame de dimanche dernier où deux femmes ont été tuées sur des passages cloutés, a limité le débat à ces circonstances. Sa question nous a privés de savoir pourquoi autant de piétons (dont deux autres dans cette même semaine) décèdent… hors des passages cloutés.
L’arme première dans la lutte contre l’insécurité routière est incontestablement l’analyse qui est faite des données, laquelle est devenue désormais une science, l’accidentologie. Nos statistiques, du moins celles qui sont publiques, se sont certes affinées au fil du temps ; la fameuse PF 178 permet de savoir, par exemple, que 54 % des accidents fatals ont lieu le jour, par beau temps, que les plus exposés ont entre 21 et 40 ans, que l’heure la plus dangereuse est 18h-19h, que le choc frontal entre deux véhicules est le plus commun des cas de figure, qu’il y a autant de risques en week-end qu’en semaine... Il est probable que nous ayons à disposition toutes les données utiles à la compréhension de ce taux de mortalité ou, du moins, les moyens de les établir.
Mais la disponibilité est une chose, le traitement, une autre. Ces données, les fait-on « parler » ? Sont-elles informatisées, étudiées, croisées de manière à inspirer les actions ? Les solutions sont-elles véritablement dessinées à partir de la spécificité des problèmes mis en évidence ? Des analyses complémentaires sont-elles faites pour mieux saisir les causes ? Il n’est pas sûr. Revenons notamment aux piétons, puisqu’ils font tristement l’actualité. Ils constituent 40 % des victimes, contre 30 % de motocyclistes et 17 % de passagers de voitures. Un taux – le même depuis dix ans – extrêmement élevé. En France, c’est 13 % de piétons (contre 50 % de véhicules), en Australie 14 % et aux États-Unis, 11 %. Qui en est responsable, le conducteur ou le piéton ? L’impunité, l’alcool, l’absence de trottoirs, les marchands ? Avons-nous des chiffres détaillés au fi chier « piétons » ? Le Premier ministre n’a pas pu le dire…
Pourtant, à en croire ce chiffre, le piéton est un problème majeur, et nous devrions y concentrer notre énergie : sanctions ? éducation ? routes piétonnières ? nouvelle considération pour le piéton ? ralentisseurs ? Cette équation a sans doute la faiblesse d’être simpliste – l’accidentologie est bien une science – mais elle veut faire ressortir que l’action ne sera efficace qu’inspirée par une réelle exploitation des données sur le comportement sur nos propres routes. Sans une telle observation de nos réalités, il y a un risque que nous importions des solutions insuffisamment efficaces. Est-il bien justifié, par exemple, ce grand déploiement d’énergie et de moyens sur les autoroutes alors que 80 % des accidents fatals ont lieu sur les « routes Royale » et autres grandes artères à deux sens dans ou entre villes et villages. Les accidents fatals sur les autoroutes ne dépasseraient pas 4 %. C’est pourtant là que les « criminels » sont épinglés chaque jour.
Il ne faut certes pas sous-estimer le danger de la vitesse. Qui est sans doute en grande partie la cause des décès du piéton. Avec un choc à 60 km/h, celui-ci risque déjà la mort. Mais il ne faut pas, non plus, que la vitesse nous épargne la tâche de mettre en évidence les autres causes. Hier, dans les Digests du trafic, elles étaient disséquées – on découvrait d’ailleurs avec surprise que la vitesse était fautive dans… 2 % des accidents, et la conduite hasardeuse dans 184 % ! Aujourd’hui, la tendance est de considérer que tout accident a pour origine « une combinaison de facteurs ». Résultat : seuls les « grands » fléaux, ennemis supranationaux, sont retenus : la vitesse, l’alcool, le téléphone au volant. S’ensuit arsenal de caméras et radars – outils développés par les pays occidentaux et adaptés à leurs problèmes – qui sont utiles, assurément, mais qui ne suffi sent pas à répondre à nos réalités.
L’utilisation intelligente des statistiques peut nous servir à bien d’autres niveaux encore. On considère qu’une fois le permis passé, on sait conduire. Mais fort de la connaissance sur les circonstances des accidents, on peut rappeler les automobilistes sur les bancs des Casernes pour apprendre une conduite plus défensive, qui montre à sentir les dangers et à les éviter. Le remède au mal, le Premier ministre a raison, doit être à plusieurs niveaux. Mais l’approche intégrée ne sera efficace que si chaque action d’un vaste plan est pertinente. Et elle ne sera aussi efficace que si les forces sont aussi « intégrées » dans une seule unité. Comité Buntipilly, la police, le ministre du Transport, est-ce très efficient, cette dispersion ?
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| vuvuzela | | | There might be a solution for these so called ‘Macho’ drivers in Mauritius. The police authority could grant a general amnesty to all car owners driving a motor vehicle without a valid MOT, driving without insurance, no valid driving licence so long as they report their situation to a police station. A database of all this information stored and they be granted immunity from prosecution for a period of say 6 months during which time they will be required to get themselves on the legal path or have their car repaired. Failing to comply will see them banned from driving and the faulty cars confiscated and sold at auction. Motor cycles and any dangerous vehicles included. This will get rid of some of these dangerous drivers on our roads. This should put a big smile on their faces and make them very happy indeed. | | | chitchat | | | Hello TIPdidodo, I've held a clean Uk driving since 1961, caught once for speeding on camera, fined £60 in addition to 3 penalty points on my driving licence. I doubt whether I've covered your mileage since I live in a hollow of a town, traffic jams, parking issues and traffic wardens are unknown. Moving on to beautiful Mauritius, the roads of the early 1900, built through sugar cane fields with hair-pin bends and villagers standing in the middle of
muddy roads, some carrying heavy loads on their heads, the senario remains unchanged since the road surface can be modernised but the main roads through towns i.e. from Curepipe to Port-Louis cannot be widen due to the buildings so are the suburban roads made for ox and donkeys
drawn carts. Modren fast cars, 16 wheelers juggernauts are on the increase and a solution is urgently needed. Some european countries are introducing speed bumps near schools and at accident black spots and CCTV cameras at road junctions recording those jumping the lights and offenders have the surprise of notification through the post. If Mauritius can offer such
high quality comfortable hotels with services to match it could also find solutions for the road traffic congestions and its fatalities. Speed kills and so does drunk driving. When East Germany was reunited to the West, road accidents went sky high due to the change from the tut-tut-tut of the Trabant(the east-german car with a two-stroke lawn mower engine) to the BMW,VW
and Mercks, speed bumps were introduced to slow them down till they got to learn controlling fast cars. One can cope with a close friend/relative dying of cancer but it's a different matter being told a dear one has been killed in a road accident. | | | tiptidodo | | | I think this article does not stress enough the role of bad driver attitude in causing all those road accidents. There is a very strong dose of immaturity and utter irresponsibility in many Mauritian drivers. I have learnt to drive in the UK, and after over 100,000 km of driving on all kinds of roads in Mauritius and in all kinds of conditions, I have still not had a single accident, or even a near miss. I drive for about 20-30 minutes every morning to go to work and each time I do this, I see more cases of violations of road code than I have seen in a whole year in the UK. This bad driving is encouraged because virtually nothing happens to those violating the code (may be you get caught once in 10,000 violations or so), yet they get the `advantage` of overtaking a better driver in front. It is unquestionable that many Mauritians therefore think they are `malin` when they can exceed speed limits, overtake on white lines, undertake the vehicle in front, barge into the road at a junction, go through red lights etc etc in order to get where they are going a little earlier in complete disregard to other road users. In all their ignorance and stupidity, they probably regard someone like me who carefully abides to the road code, and take the time to assess risks before taking decisions on the road, as an idiot. I`ve even had quite a number of morons who have overtaken me to then brake in front of my car to `show me` that I am driving too slowly when in fact I was merely driving at the legal speed limit for that road. Many of them seem to think they are great drivers, Aces of the road. Little do they know that to me their behaviour is in fact extremely primitive, somewhat like that of a male dog having sniffed a female in heat and who then promptly succumbs to being driven solely by a neurone-less head.... | | | giantee | | | chaque 3 mois, pe limit vitesse et malgre sa nombre morts et accidents pe ogmenter. si continier coume sa , talere ou pou trouve vitesse pailles /camp chapelon pou vinne 25km lors ene lautoroute, et ce malgre ena ene place pour pietons marcher,,,, cest ridicuuuuleeeeee!!! mauriciens ene race pas raisoner,,, la tete ici servi ziste pour mette chapeau,,,,,,
bisin re-eduk usagers de la route ,,, mais la question qui sanne la pour faire ca. aussi,, au lieu trouve 6 policiers avec banne figures
patibulaires pe rodede arrete automobilistes quand zotte pe faire 3 km en plisse , bizin mette laccent lors prevention,,,
il est vrai avec prevention, pitaye pas pou marcher!!! | | | Hell | | | Les "cross here" sont mal placés - trop juste apres un tournant. EX: le cross here de l'intersection Mangalkhan - Curepipe à Floreal.
2. Le link d'Ebene, R.Hill- B. Bassin. PAS DE LUMIERE. Entre chien et loup, dans le tournant, on risque soit d'atterir sur le chemin sous le link soit finir devant sur le terre plein.
3. Le rond point de Jimbo, c'est un rond point "Veille céqué & qui pli rapide passer". Il y a eu pas mal d'accidents la. Le ministere concerné vous dit qu'il ne peut rien faire car des milliards ont ete depensés mais si ca avait ete bien pensé, il n'y aurait pas eu autant d'accidents.
4. Les "Bus Stop" tout juste avant un tournant, et juste avant une ligne pointillée qui vous permet de dépasser un bus à l'arret.
Mais y a-t-il qyelqu'un capable d'analyser les risques avant les décisions mal prises??
Nous avons l'impression qu'on fait de n'importe de nos routes. Et naturellement tout les torts viennent des conducteurs. Pas moi ca, li ca
| | | chitchat | | |
@Starbright, you're absolutely right, a high percentage of vehicles are not roadworthy in
Mauritius but I gather that all vehicles over 3-years-old must by law be mechanically tested
yearly for their roadworthiness but unfortunately it is alleged that some garages would issue
a fitness certificate (that's how it's called) for vehicles they've not even seen and there's
no random check till the vehicle is involved in an accident. The law is an ass. To prevent and
eradicate that malpratice in the UK, test centres issuing the MOT(Ministry Of Transport)
certificate must register the vehicles details on line and all MOT tests must be prebooked the
mileage of the vehicle at testing time is recorded and there are regular road traffic police
random tests. Few months ago, so impressed with the stringent UK MOT Navin Ramgoolam,promised
to shortly introduce the UK MOT system in Mauritius. How soon is shortly? | | | Starbright | | | There's no vehicle fitness certification i.e periodic requirement for inspection and certification in Mauritius.The legal basis for motor vehicle fitness examination and certification exists in the motor vehicles ordinances 1965 in the western world.There's no comparison between Mauritius and the western world and i'm damn sure that 60% of your cars on the road in Mauritius are not safe or fit. | | | chitchat | | | The writer has been absolutely informative and factual. Crossing the road in France as in Mauritius is not something to be taken lightly. In respect of road courtesy and respect to road users at designated road crossings, the Brits are exemplary second to none. Improvements are at snail's speed in Mauritius, - CROSS HERE which is not easily seen by motorists from a
distance has not been updated, anyone parking a vehicle 50cms near a so-called"passage cloute or approaching at a speed of 60 kmp breaks no traffic rules. Mauritius needs decades to adapt to the UK road safety standards but it's not impossible, the PM having spent most of his teen aged years in Europe should have no difficulty introducing a Road Traffic Safety Act. | | | janine | | | On est noyé dans une dispersion infernale depuis quelques années. Qui ne souvient pas de tous ces fonds, dont le Empowerment Fund, qui empiétaient sur les plate-bandes de nos ministeres? Il faut que cela cesse. | | | regis | | | bizin mette feu de circulation aux passages cloutés avec ene caméra qui tire photo chaque loto qui passe la lumiere rouge pou finance sa projet la | | | Vuvuzela | | | Finding a solution to traffic management in Mauritius is not exactly rocket science. Less talk and more action are required. Deployment of resources in the right place and heavy investment in technology and road safety for pedestrian is the way forward.
What level of research carried out about the human costs incurred for the victims of road accidents? Loss of main breadwinner, young children left without a mother and whole family destroyed, most likely due to the impatience of some careless driver.
Restriction of some heavy goods vehicles for night operation only where feasible and this should de-clutter the roads at peak times as too many of them are slow moving and hog the road.
There should be a reduction in the number of heavy vehicles (4x4) type for domestic use, especially on roads in towns and villages.
One idea is to give town and villages more freedom in the management of accidents reduction, with backup from the police department. They could therefore generate some pride about the safety of their own town or village. Complete ban of vehicles in towns on Sundays (with exceptions) and public transport available at reduced fares. This should make the public enjoy their towns with freedom from traffic.
Police officers should not be providing security duties to moneychangers and banks although they might argue that they get a subsidy from the banks. Bank should be providing their own security as they have a responsibility towards their customers and the source of income they derive. The re-deployment of this work force will be more useful in dealing with traffic congestion. Police alone cannot tackle this ever-growing menace. Commitment and honest political will are required. Municipality and village council leaders has to be more accountable and given a target to reduce serious accidents in their town and villages. Should they fail to deliver, their budget should be curtailed and question asked by central government. Schools and every community organisation should be involved by lobbying their MP and town council leaders. There might be a case for insurance companies to start getting serious about their insurance premium for drivers with convictions. There should be more technology implementation at strategic position. In every town, cameras should be fitted at every single Zebra crossing and linked to one control station where events can be monitored e.g. car registration. The Police force needs the latest high tech tools to combat this scourge of alcohol and drug abuse by drivers. A drug analyser is on a trial run by the European police force on suspect drivers. Another area is the training of young students in the handling of motor vehicles, whilst still at school and part of the school project work. The mandatory use of Computer based training (CBT) where every prospective driver can learn about the theory/highway code and then take a test. The pass score should be over 90 per cent and that theory test result valid for 2 years during which time they can take their practical test. Using vehicle-training simulators might be a tool for learner drivers. Pedestrians should shoulder responsibility as to what is happening with the traffic chaos in Mauritius as they do not always behave with any regard to their own safety and towards drivers. Strict rules should be applicable to members of the public who behave in such a way as to endanger road safety and the target should be a ‘Zero tolerance’ policy. Speed reduction in towns and villages to be set at the minimum possible speed.
This situation has reached epidemic proportion, hence the ever increasing number of serious road accidents. One cannot blame the drivers; the pedestrians are as bad. Second hand import of cars from the Far East has not helped either. There is no restriction on imports as this brings huge income to the coffers in the form of import duty, car tax, duty on fuel and the issue of licences to these rogue drivers. Bad signage, often blocked by leaves from trees etc is another danger to motorists. There is no respect or politeness shown by drivers towards old and infirm crossing the road, even at zebra crossing. They are so arrogant drivers that do not understand the notion of priority to pedestrians. Has anybody considered banning all traffic from towns on certain days of the week e.g. on market days in Quatre Bornes and Rose hill. They could make a “pedestrian only” area on these days so that shoppers can enjoy their traffic free day experience. The use of mobile phone whilst driving is another threat to traffic and other road users. There is no incentive given by the authorities to get more cars off the road by offering tax relief to people who use public transport. Get more people to use bicycle to work where possible and give them tax-free help to buy bikes. These buses belching smoke are another menace to health, especially sufferers of respiratory illnesses. Some of these buses are obviously not fit for purpose, as they would not meet the minimum requirement for the emission of dangerous fumes. There is a tendency for people to sit by the roadside and play cards or domino on public road without any care to incoming cars. There is no incentive made to encourage more people to walk or use bicycles for short journeys. Lane for “bicycles only” could be one possible solution. More traffic support police officers or traffic wardens. The law should require the compulsory wearing of fluorescent tabards and helmets for users of bicycles and motorcycles regardless of size engines. Road traffic police officer should be empowered to issue on the spot fine for driving offence. The repair or roads should be a priority, as this is another cause of serious accidents. There is an excess of 4X4 trucks on our roads. In addition, if any statistics are kept as to the number of accidents that they are responsible for. It seems there is an element of power by those driving these ugly monsters. They also cause more damage when involved in an accident. One can appreciate that small business owners and those operating in agriculture require them but others should have a business case to be able to buy a 4x4 truck. To see so many around begs the question for their purpose. One has only to look on a Sunday afternoon when you can see some drivers coming from the beach high on drugs or stoned by alcohol consumption. They have no expression on their faces and they drive as if they are on a death wish or on a mission to kill or maim any living thing in their path. This is the sad truth about the road traffic situation and it will even get worse with the ever-increasing number of car ownership as we have a crumbling transport system added to bad investment in the road management. What is required is a change of mentality from all parties: authorities, public, and drivers. Otherwise, it is going to be business as usual, except for the spiralling loss of life.
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