Escalation of Fatal Road Accidents : motorcycle Riders most Vulnerable

The road has again claimed several victims this week. Despite the numerous measures enforced and the launching of the first Motorcycle Driving School this year, these calamities are recurring. What is not working with our road traffic system, especially when it comes to motorcyclists?

The number of road victims has not stopped but instead has been escalating since the beginning of the year. This week only, five persons have lost their lives. Three of them were motorcycle riders. As sad and shocking as it is, the number of fatal road accidents for this year’s first six months is of 85, compared to the number of accidents per 1,000 mid-year registered motor vehicles, which was of 57 in 2017.

According to Statistics Mauritius, 39.4% of vehicle involved in accidents during 2017 were motor/auto cycles. Out of the 157 persons who died, the most vulnerable category of road users, as revealed, were riders/pillion riders of motorised two-wheelers, which made 61 victims.

The most surprising fact is that out of the vehicle fleet in the island, motorized two-wheelers represented 39%. Despite the fact that the two-wheelers represent the second largest vehicle community in Mauritius (205, 493), we still do not have any specific infrastructure for them. In addition, more and more people, especially the youth, are adopting this type of transport, which results with an increasing number of two-wheelers on our roads. The big issue that remains is if we are taking the necessary measures when it comes to road regulations for two-wheelers.

According to Sajeev Mewasingh, founder of the Road Safety Commission of Fellow Bikers (Mauritius), the launching and setting up of the Motorcycle Driving Schools by the Minister of Public Infrastructure, Nando Bodha, is a good initiative but there will be no immediate results. “The results will be seen in the coming years because these Motorcycle Driving Schools mainly target new motorcycle riders and bikers. But what about the current motorcycle riders?” he questions.

Law enforcement

Commenting on the sad accident involving a school girl on Wednesday, Sajeev Mewasingh trusts that there has been negligence from the parent. “You give a child something to eat in one hand while riding a motorcycle on the road. How will the child hold himself/herself with only one free arm? I believe that parents’ responsibility has a big role to play in such cases.”

However, he states, it is difficult to define who is mainly responsible in an accident. “We must understand also that there are several factors that come into play in an accident. Was it due to poor road infrastructures, was it because the traffic lights were off, or was it because there was a blind spot? The list is long. There are various circumstances that are involved. This is why we cannot pin point the motorcycle riders only and this is why it does not mean that the motorcycles involved in an accident are solely the ones responsible. It is the responsibility of each one of us.”

Sajeev Mewasingh trusts that the main issue is a question of law enforcement. “For years and years, we have been demanding that the authorities stop allowing access to children on motorcycles. That is, people should not carry a child/infant on a motorcycle. But we have heard nothing up to now. In addition, the traffic enforcement squad, which is supposed to target people committing life threatening offences, are not doing their job correctly.”

In addition, he explains that 90% of helmets in Mauritius are not up to the required standard. “Mauritian riders and bikers look at the price rather than the quality. Many also are not aware that the rubber tires of their motorcycles have an expiry date.” He also denounces the fact that electric motorcycles are more and more seen on our roads but there is still no specific traffic regulations enforced regarding them.

He argues that it is high time to act. The founder of the Road Safety Commission of Fellow Bikers (Mauritius) states that all stakeholders must work together to bring changes as well as implementing them. “There is a whole education to make in order to change the Mauritian mindset. This should start in our primary schools. We can definitely not reduce the number of accidents like that but we can at least reduce fatal ones.”

Helmets not up to standard

According to Manoj Raj Kumar, Secretary of the Approved Driving Instructor Association, motorcycle riders are playing with their lives. “As a road user and as a car driving instructor, I witness everyday how motorcycle riders are behaving. Despite the dangers on our roads, they still do not take precautions and commit many breaches of the law. For example, many motorcycle riders will not wear their helmets correctly and they will look more at the price rather than the quality. They are thus responsible for how they wear it but our authorities, namely the quality controllers, are also responsible for the fact that helmets which are not up to the standard are being imported and sold.”

He utters that motorcycle riders must become conscious that they are the most vulnerable road users compared to car drivers. “For example, they must be aware that wearing a fluorescent jacket is a must and that they need to avoid wearing dark clothes while riding. They must also check their vehicles before going on the road, such as verifying if all the lights are working properly. Everyone thinks that he or she knows best and that they are doing the right thing. We must change this mindset.”

Nevertheless, he agrees that there are other circumstances that are also involved. “We cannot deny that the state of our roads is bad. Motorcycles are more vulnerable when the road infrastructures are bad. For example, if the rider bumps into a hole on the road, there are great chances that he may lose control of his motorcycle.”

Manoj Raj Kumar trusts that more severe laws should be enforced. “Dangerous drivers as well as those who commit even offences like crossing white lines should be punished. We should suspend their licence and seize their motorcycle. The Motorcycle Driving School will only provide training on the technical side and not on the practical side. We should organise conferences and sensitisation campaigns by experts in the fields. For example former motorcycle cops are experts who have lots of experience and they have been trained. They are definitely a resource.”