National Gendarmerie Rounds up Road Safety Campaign

Following the take-off of the new school year, the National Gendarmerie intensified sensitisation on road safety along major highways in the country. The aim of the campaign was to prevent road accidents on highways to ensure a hitch-free back-to-school.

The 12th phase of the nationwide campaign which was launched on August 28 was extended to September 4, 2012. The Inspector General of National Gendarmerie, General Mambou Deffo Roland, was along the Yaounde-Obala highway on Monday September 3 to sensitise road users on the need to respect road safety rules and regulations.

Speaking to journalists, General Mambou Deffo Roland, expressed satisfaction with the sensitisation campaign. He said the National Gendarmerie is out to prevent, sensitise and dissuade dangerous behaviour on highways. The different control teams made of gendarmes applied the necessary sanctions. The majority of offences registered were for over speeding, use of worn-out tyres, overloading, non-wearing of seat belts, overtaking on unbroken lines and covered car registration numbers. Defaulters were made to pay fines accordingly. According to General Mambou, motorists are beginning to understand the need to respect road safety rules and regulations. "As compared to previous years, the rate of accidents has reduced. Truck drivers have become more careful," he said. The population that came to watch the gendarmes at work also expressed satisfaction.

Road users, even though not happy with the fines, acknowledged the work done by the National Gendarmerie. Some of them hailed gendarmes saying that the campaign will bring discipline and order on highways in the country. The defaulters were detected with the use of equipment donated to the Cameroonian government by the European Union.