Road safety: Gendarmerie sensitises road users

The National Gendarmerie has intensified efforts to ensure safety on highways in the country. In continuation of its road safety campaign called “Operation Control-Monitor-Punish,” a team of gendarmes was at the Yaounde- Boumneybel highway on Saturday June 25, 2016.

Led by the Deputy Director of the Technical and Logistics Department of the National Gendarmerie, Lt. Colonel Amboakwe Gaius, Supervisor of the Road Safety Campaign, they carried out checks at different Gendarmerie posts on the highway linking Yaounde to the Littoral and the South West Regions of Cameroon.

At the Ngoung Gendarmerie Post, some 10 km from Boumneybel, checks went on as usual with rigour.

The offences booked were mostly over-speeding, expired documents, over-used tyres, non-respect of road signs, lack of spare tyres, lack of First Aid Box, un-lit vehicle number plates and lack of speed indicators, among others.

What caught the eye was a group of drivers who were either claiming innocence or were pleading for some considerations.

One of the drivers who were booked a fine of FCFA 25,000 for over speeding said he was driving at a speed of 80/km/ph whereas the required speed limit on that part of the road is 60/km/ph.

Another driver who was caught for the same fault complained that his speedometer was faulty and that is why he could not determine the speed of his car. Some drivers were caught in possession of expired documents. They had to pay their fines before leaving the post.

Lt. Amboakwe said the Gendarmerie checks are vigorous and firm to ensure that the Highway Code is respected by all the motorists. He said the main offences recorded were over speeding and overloading. Even administrative vehicles without the necessary documents were reprimanded.

He said the officers first of all sensitise them and then carry out repressive measures against all those drivers who go about with administrative vehicles without the right documents. He said so far, there are two vehicles impounded at the Road Platoon at Boumnyebel.