Each year, about 140 people die and 500 more are seriously injured in road crashes in Mauritius, making road injuries the leading cause of injury and death in the country.  Moreover, the economic cost of road crashes is estimated at more than Rs 6 billion per annum for the Mauritian economy. Finally, while fatalities from other major causes are projected to decline in the region, road fatalities are expected to increase exponentially, if no changes are made.

During his travel to Mauritius, Jean Todt had the opportunity to discuss road safety issues with Mrs Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of the Republic of Mauritius and Hon N. Bodha, Minister of Public Infrastructure & Land Transport amongst others.

He also took part in the First National Road Safety Conference in Port Louis. In his opening speech, Jean Todt started by highlighting the solutions that exist to tackle the road safety challenge: safer roads and behaviors, safer vehicles, safer infrastructure, better legislation, stronger enforcement and improved post-crash care. He also explained that although the road crash rate in Mauritius is three times higher than that of the best-performing European countries, Mauritius is currently positioned to become a leader in the African region on road safety issues, thanks to the 2025 national target to halve the number of road traffic fatalities and recent investments in road safety. Finally, he encouraged Mauritius to support the proposal for a UN Road Safety Fund and to implement the UN Road Safety Conventions, particularly those on Road Traffic, on Road Signs and Signals, on Vehicle Safety and on transport of dangerous goods by road. 

In Mauritius, Jean Todt also met with Christian Affoque, President of the Club Automobile de Rallye, a Member Club of the FIA.