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Archive -National Assembly

In the National Assembly - Five road deaths so far |09 August 2018

So far this year there have been five deaths resulting from road accidents and from that three were young men on motorcycles and all five victims were under the age of 35.

Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, who holds the Home Affairs portfolio, revealed these figures to National Assembly members yesterday while answering an urgent question asked by the elected member for Pointe Larue Jude Valmont.

Mr Valmont wanted to know the number of fatal road accidents involving scooters and motorcycles and serious measures planned or underway to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians.

Habitat, Infrastructure and Land Transport Minister Pamela Charlette was also in the National Assembly yesterday to answer related questions on the issue.

With the growing enthusiasm for motorcycles and scooters in the country, especially among young people, there has also been growing public concern on the increasing number of fatal road accidents involving motorcycles and road safety in general.

Minister Mondon said speeding is the most prominent factor in four of these five fatalities and that an investigation on the fifth accident is currently being conducted by the police.

“Road safety is primarily the individual responsibility of each pedestrian and motorist, and they should all respect and obey road regulations,” Minister Mondon stated.

She further added that the role of the police force is to implement laws and regulations as well as to control the flow of traffic with the aim of improving road safety.

Continuous spot-checks, the ‘Arrive Alive’ exercises, the static road block programme, public awareness campaigns particularly in schools and the media and breathalyser tests are some of the measures cited by Minister Mondon that are currently being implemented by the police.

Minister Mondon also stated that the police are looking into reviewing the test procedures for learner-drivers in the future.

Honourable Valmont also queried on what is being done to update the Highway Code and if members of the police force are ensuring that protection gears used by motorists on scooters and motorbikes are actually being used and up to standard.

Minister Charlette informed Assembly members that the Highway Code is presently being reviewed and updated to meet present day requirements. The revised code is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Minister Charlette further noted that the Road Safety Policy (2018) that was approved last year is in the implementation phase.

“There are three new strategies emphasised on in this policy: the state of roads, conditions of vehicles and education of drivers, passengers and pedestrians,” Minister Charlette detailed out.

Minister Mondon for her part went on to explain that police officers are aware of the various helmets being used by motorists that are not necessarily in line with safety standards.

“These helmets are entering the country and in our efforts to address this issue, the police force has written to the Seychelles Land Transport Agency to impose certain criteria and control on helmets,” Minister Mondon said.

A proposal concerning this matter is expected to be made known soon.

In response to Honourable Audrey Vidot’s remarks relating to camera surveillance, Minister Mondon stated that the government is additionally looking into the feasibility and cost of setting up of road cameras.

Meanwhile, Minister Charlette said the project to build a proper roundabout and enlarge the road at Bois de Rose Avenue where the latest fatal road accident occurred, is currently underway and is expected to be completed by November this year.

Discussions also focused on such issues like control on modified cars, confusions surrounding right of way on roads, construction work on roads that are not safe for drivers and the necessary training needed before a motorcycle or scooter license is issued.

 

 

 

 

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