Road Safety Association: Calling for Vigilance Following Beaux-Songes Tragedy

On the morning of October 12, a devastating incident struck the village of Beaux-Songes. A head-on collision between a car and a truck resulted in the deaths of four individuals—three young men and one young woman—who died instantly. In light of this tragedy, l’Express spoke with Alain Jeannot, president of the Road Safety Association, about the pressing issues surrounding road safety and the impact of such accidents on the wider community.

“Last year, individuals aged 15 to 29 accounted for 33% of road fatalities,” Jeannot stated, highlighting the urgency of addressing this demographic’s vulnerability on the roads.

What are your thoughts following the Beaux-Songes accident?

“We are filled with horror and profound sorrow over the tragedy that has struck our community.

The sudden and inexplicable loss of four young lives, full of promise, is an unacceptable and deeply regrettable situation.

While I do not know the specific circumstances surrounding this accident, it’s important to recognize that Beaux-Songes has frequently been the site of such road tragedies.

We would benefit from a comprehensive review of accidents over the past decade to better understand this persistent issue.

Identifying common factors may guide us in implementing concrete preventive measures.

Questions to consider include: What profiles do the individuals involved share? Where were they coming from? At what time did the accident occur? What is the context in which this road is most commonly used?

In the short term, we should explore the possibility of installing traffic calming devices in this area, as well as increasing speed enforcement through additional speed cameras and enhanced roadway markings to improve overall safety.”

Losing four lives in a single day is staggering. What are your comments on this?

“It is critical to conduct a thorough audit of this road. I want to emphasize that it has previously been the site of severe accidents, such as the one in 2015 that claimed six lives, and another in 2016 that resulted in two fatalities.

Losing four lives in one day is indeed a tragically high number.”

How important is it to integrate road safety into our daily lives?

“It is imperative to weave road safety into the fabric of our culture and daily practices.

We must cultivate a sense of respect and discipline in our behavior, particularly as it pertains to road conduct.

We have no choice but to act; with two vehicles per household, if this trend continues, we are on a path to having more than one vehicle per person within 20 years.

We must take this situation seriously.”

What are the psychological impacts of an accident on society?

“Supporting the victims’ families through grief counseling is essential, just as is the case in some developed countries.

This psychological support is crucial in helping them navigate this difficult period.”

Are there improvements needed in road safety, such as awareness campaigns?

“Road safety is a dynamic field that necessitates ongoing evaluation. In the immediate term, I propose an intensive awareness campaign focused on speed and aggressive driving.

Furthermore, rigorous maintenance of road furniture and markings is essential. In the medium term, implementing a probationary driving license system is necessary.

Although young people constitute only 21% of the population, they account for over 35% of road deaths, with the majority being car drivers or motorcyclists.

I urge everyone to stay vigilant, especially during this electoral period.

Our cultural practices often influence our behaviors, but we have to recognize that our vehicle population has surged from 74,369 to 700,000 in the last forty years.

We can no longer afford to ignore the consequences of our actions, such as recklessly placing banners and flags along roads.

It is also unacceptable to become swept up in the excitement of group activities that may lead us to wander into traffic, even during political rallies.”

A Record of Tragedy in Beaux-Songes:

• December 21, 2015: A horrific road accident occurred around 5 AM, claiming the lives of six individuals and leaving four others injured.
• The collision involved a National Transport Company bus and a 4×4 vehicle.
• The victims, primarily young, included 17-year-old Navnish Ramchurn and his 19-year-old cousin Palvish, who worked part-time as a DJ.
• Other victims included 24-year-old Cédric Bozelle, 23-year-old Aurélie Charlot, and Elodie Ramchurn from Vacoas.
• The driver of the 4×4, Andy Chowreemootoo, also in his twenties, lost his life in this tragic incident.
• November 27, 2016: At around 2:30 PM, Serge Para, a father of five, and his friend Kissoon Bhurtun were returning from a trip.
• Near Beaux-Songes, their motorcycle skidded off the road and crashed into a tree.
• Although they were rushed to the Victoria Hospital’s intensive care unit, both succumbed to their injuries, leaving their families in mourning.
• “Serge was riding a motorcycle with his friend as they headed to La Preneuse,” explained Serge’s sister.
• September 2023: Another devastating event struck Beaux-Songes when police officer Dharmajay Vishal Goodur, 51, was fatally hit by a 19-year-old driver.
• Despite immediate medical assistance, he was pronounced dead at the scene, underscoring the urgent need for a collective awareness of road safety.

The spate of tragedies in Beaux-Songes underscores the critical need for renewed vigilance, supportive structures for victims and their families, and a concerted effort to enhance road safety measures in the community.

Source: l’Express