Avoid drinking and driving, save lives |25 April 2014
Most of the accidents reported this year are related to alcohol consumption and as a result some people have lost their lives.
The police are reminding drivers that it is against the law to drink and drive and all road users to take extra precaution this weekend as the country will be hosting the fourth Carnaval International de Victoria.
Drivers are also being asked to be extra careful while driving on public roads.
Police officers will be on high alert and will be taking necessary actions against motorists as well as passengers found consuming alcoholic drinks in vehicles.
The police have said that over a dozen drivers have had their driving licence revoked after they have been found guilty for either reckless driving, causing death by dangerous driving or for driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
An 84-year-old lady of Pointe Larue died on Sunday after being hit by a pick-up driven by a drunken driver. The suspect, a 33-year-old man, was charged yesterday for the offence of manslaughter, alternatively causing death by dangerous driving and also for driving a motor vehicle with alcohol consumption above prescribed limit. The accused is being further remanded in lawful custody until May 8.
Also detained last weekend after having consumed alcohol above the prescribed limit is another driver whose car left the road and hit against a post on Francis Rachel Street, damaging a historic 95-year-old landmark.
A total of 13 road and vehicle accidents were reported last weekend and the death of the elderly person brought the number of deaths to seven to date – only one short of the total number of eight for the whole of last year.
Areas with a high rate of accidents are the central region with 42 in January, 47 in February and 52 in March; Mont Fleuri with 41 in January, 30 in February and 25 in March.
Other areas prone to accidents are Anse Aux Pins, Beau Vallon, Anse Royale and Baie Ste Anne on Praslin.
Compared to 422 accidents recorded as at the end of March 2013, there have been 468 for the same period this year – an increase of 10%.