Mauritian Land Transport and Light Rail Minister, Alan Ganoo, on Saturday announced stiffer penalties for 13 road offences to improve road safety following an increase in fatal accidents.
He said for this year, 118 people have lost their lives in accidents with 56 motorcyclists, representing 47%, being the highest group.
According to him, average offences under the fixed penalty scheme will be increased from 1,000 to 5,000 rupees, such as in the case of owners of smoke-producing vehicles who will henceforth be fined 5,000 rupees instead of 1,000 rupees. (Rs 39.00 = 1 USD). He added that these regulations will come into effect once they are promulgated.
He said that from 2018 to date, 1,080 vehicle owners have been fined for smoke emission and noise pollution.
Mr Ganoo said other offences that will attract tougher penalties include altering the silencer of vehicle to increase the noise from exhaust; driving a vehicle without the insurance sticker being conspicuously displayed on the left corner of the windscreen; failing to wear high visibility clothing whilst riding a motorcycle or an auto cycle; and failing to wear a prescribed protective helmet while riding a motorcycle or auto cycle.
