Measures Taken Against Traffic Jams

Many vehicles and motorbikes users do not respect the road signs which have been put in place by the Douala City Council, CUD, to make circulation easy. These signs were placed five months ago and became effective three months ago.

The most important is the sign restricting cars and other vehicles from driving in a certain direction, which is found mostly at turning points and this restriction is highlighted because it is said to be the main cause of traffic in Douala. The signs are placed to avoid congestion on the roads as vehicles have the tendency of using a one-way road for a two-way. Due to this, the other junctions are blocked causing heavy traffic.

In order to achieve effective results, The CUD has hired some men and women to ensure that these rules are observed. In the major neighbourhoods like Bonanjo, Bonapriso and Akwa, it is observed that and council controllers are no longer present to control the circulation giving that they think the rules are respected but this has instead caused motorbike riders to disrespect signs.

According to one of the controllers, the monitoring unit is divided into two teams working in morning and afternoon shifts alongside the police and gendarmes. They are often disrespected when the violators do not find any police officer around. People caught violating are asked to pay charges and their cars seized. The charges vary as those without car documents especially licences and insurance are fined more than those who have.

This measure taken by the CUD will be present for a long time until there is complete order, council officials say. But behind all this, road users complain there is still a silent shadow of corruption and favoritism as tribal and financial backings are used to the benefit of some and disadvantage of others.