Knowing the limits on Mauritian roads is the simplest way to stay safe, avoid a fine and keep your licence. Speed limits in Mauritius range from 40 km/h in towns and villages to 110 km/h on the motorway, and the drink-driving limit is one of the strictest in the region. Here is what every driver on the island needs to know.

What are the speed limits on Mauritian roads?

Limits vary by road type. These are the general figures drivers can expect, though a posted sign always takes priority over the standard limit.

Some stretches carry lower limits than the standard for their road type, particularly near schools, markets and sharp bends. Where a sign is posted, that number is the one that counts.

What are the fines for speeding in Mauritius?

The penalty depends on how far over the limit you were caught. Fines rise steeply, and the higher two bands are cumulative, meaning they can be added to other penalties.

Speed cameras across the island are painted bright yellow and easy to spot, but handheld radar checks are common too. The safest assumption is that you are always being watched.

What is the drink-driving limit in Mauritius?

The legal limit is low, and even a single drink can put some drivers over it. The prescribed maximum is:

• 20 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 ml of blood

• 27 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 ml of urine

• 9 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 ml of breath

What are the penalties for drink-driving?

Penalties are severe and increase sharply for repeat offences. They combine a fine, possible imprisonment and disqualification from driving.

Alcohol impairs judgement, concentration, coordination and reaction time, all of which safe driving depends on. The only reliable way to stay within the limit is not to drink before driving.

Why the limits matter

Speeding and drink-driving remain two of the leading causes of serious and fatal road crashes in Mauritius. The faster you travel, the less time you have to react, and the more severe any collision becomes. The limits are not there to slow your day down. They are there to make sure you finish the journey.

The vehicle you drive plays its part too

Staying within the limits is one half of driving well on Mauritian roads. The condition of your vehicle is the other. Good brakes, reliable tyres and modern safety features all shorten the gap between spotting a hazard and stopping for it.

If you are weighing up your next car,AutoCloud.mu lets you compare vehicles across make, age, mileage, condition and safety features, so you can choose one that is as dependable as your driving. Know your limits, and drive something you can trust to keep them with you.

Sources: Mauritius Police Force,Speeding andDrunken driving.