Speed cameras to track traffic offenders in Mauritius

News - Africa news



Port-Louis, Mauritius - The Mauritian Police have received three automatic speed cameras from the Land Transport Ministry to be used in tracking down traffic offenders.

PANA learnt Friday from the ministry that the cameras were put to use during this period of festivities.

An official at the ministry said the cameras were equipped with speed radars, a high resolution camera unit and a flashing unit.

"They will be used to track down speed limit violations and also to detect the use of hand- held cellular phones while driving, as well as non-compliance with traffic lights and other traffic signals," he said.

Moreover, the law has been amended to empower the police to serve a fixed penalty notice of 2,000 rupees (about US$ 65) on a person in respect of offences detected by the speed cameras.

The official emphasised that the introduction of speed cameras came in the wake of the increasing number of fatal road accidents in the island.

According to him, an average of 140 fatal accidents has been recorded every year over the last ten years.

This year, the toll has already reached 145, of which 60 were pedestrians.

Port-Louis - 26/12/2008