Road safety in Burkina Faso: Authorities raise awareness of helmet use

More than 85% of road traffic accident victims have serious head injuries and 80% of them are motorized two-wheelers. These are the statistics published this Monday, August 9, 2022 in Ouagadougou, at the launch of the 6th edition of the week dedicated to road safety.

According to the figures announced, out of every 100 accidents that occur in Burkina Faso, 80 are caused by humans. At the same time, more than 85% of road traffic accident victims have serious head injuries and 80% of them are motorized two-wheelers users. A state of affairs, illustrated by the images on display for the awareness of each Burkinabe.

This justifies the theme of the 6th edition of the week dedicated to road safety, entitled: "Wearing a helmet, a vital necessity. Thus, in view of the countless road traffic accidents that plunge families into mourning, the Burkinabe government is seizing the bull by the horns.

The Prime Minister's appeal

"It is time for action", says Prime Minister Albert Ouédraogo. For him, there is no question of politics when it comes to "our families, our communities and our hopes that are threatened. Albert Ouédraogo therefore stresses that it is time to move towards the application of the regulatory texts on the wearing of helmets and control sanctions.

Faced with the limited resources of the State to meet the challenges of road safety, the head of government launches a vibrant appeal to technical and financial partners, insurance companies, oil companies, vehicle dealers ...., in order to support the actions undertaken in this sense.

It also calls on the agents in charge of road controls to break with abnormal practices and to truly work towards the promotion of good practices.
The Minister in charge of transport, Mahamoudou Zampaligré, however, pointed out that wearing a helmet would only make sense "if the other rules of the road are scrupulously respected". He recalled that a good citizen is one who is self-disciplined. For he does not need the presence of the police to stop at a traffic light or a stop sign.

The registered activities planned for this edition

Thus, in order to increase awareness among the population, a battery of activities is planned during the road safety week (9 to 13 August 2022). These include the organization of an awareness session on the use of helmets and seat belts at the crossroads of Youth in the Tampouy district of Ouagadougou, on August 11 at 8 am. The distribution throughout the said week, of the decree on the obligation to integrate the helmet in the equipment of the motorcycle during the sale.

But also the organization of an aerobics session at the Martyrs traffic circle, on Friday, August 12 at 3:30 pm. Without forgetting the organization of a caravan on the wearing of the helmet with for place of departure, the Place of the Nation, on Saturday, August 13th.

Being in majority the first users of motorcycles, the young people were invited to participate actively in the various activities on the agenda. "I invite the youth to follow carefully the different themes that will be discussed in order to understand the phenomenon of road insecurity.I invite the youth to follow carefully the different topics that will be discussed in order to fully understand the phenomenon of road insecurity," said Abdoul Wabou Drabo, Minister of Sports, Youth and Employment, to the youth.

The decree on the obligation to integrate the helmet in the sale of machines

As a reminder, Decree No. 2005-251/PRES/PM/MCPEA on the obligation to include helmets in the sale of motorized vehicles stipulates that it is imperative for any merchant selling mopeds, motorcycles and motorbikes to wear a helmet.The type of helmet and its references must be specified in the sales contract. The type of helmet and its references must be mentioned on the invoice issued to the customer, on the certificate of conformity and on the certificate of sale required for registration.

Failure to comply with the provisions of this decree is punishable in accordance with Act No. 15/94/ADP of May 5, 1994 on the organization of competition in Burkina Faso, in particular by a fine of one to twenty-five million CFA francs, or by imprisonment for two months to two years, or by one of these penalties only.
In the event of a repeat offence, the above penalty may be doubled. In addition, it could be ordered the temporary or permanent cessation of any activity on the national territory.

Source: lefaso.net