Alpha Squad Combats Rising Road Deaths in Mauritius Through Safety Training
With 42 members from diverse backgrounds like students, police and firefighters, it is also the only club led by an instructor approved by authorities.
TERRE ROUGE, Mauritius- As road fatalities continue rising in Mauritius, one organization has taken a proactive approach to improving road safety through training and public awareness campaigns, writes Naome Chisala.
The Alpha Squad, a non-profit founded in 2015 by motorcycle instructor Katsumoto San, is the first motor club in Mauritius welcoming riders of smaller 400cc motorcycles and below.
With 42 members from diverse backgrounds like students, police and firefighters, it is also the only club led by an instructor approved by authorities.
"Our goal is to inform and sensitize the public about road safety and train riders to reach their destinations safely," said San.
Road accidents remain a major killer in Mauritius. Official statistics show 138 deaths in 2023, up 31.3% from 2022's 108 fatalities. Serious injuries averaged around 520 annually.
To combat this, the Alpha Squad collaborates with government agencies, police, motorcycle dealers and local councils to recruit riders and conduct road shows, safety lectures and training.
"We have a lot of problems regarding road safety in Mauritius, but we are trying our best to inform and instruct the public through sensitization, campaigns and events," San said.
Member Mitesh Summun credited the group for improving his riding skills and public speaking abilities while making connections across sectors tackling road safety issues.
For Cintia Ramgutty, the club's recreational offerings like hiking and camping providing advantageous life skills.
However, securing sustained public interest and sponsorships for their non-profit work remains a challenge. Local councils have provided some spaces and visibility.
Looking ahead, the Alpha Squad aims to expand across Mauritius and potentially to other countries, setting up road safety training camps nationwide to reach and recruit more members.
With road crashes projected to become the 7th leading global cause of death by 2030, groups like Alpha Squad are vital for improving road safety awareness and defensive driving education.