Yaounde: Commercial motorbike riders drilled on road safety, first aid measures.

It was organised by the Nkafu Policy Institute of the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation, in collaboration with the Cameroon Federation of Motorcycle Riders, FECACOMOTTAX. 

According to Fouefack Ebenezer, Director of Programmes and Strategies at the Foretia Foundation, the purpose for the road safety training was aimed at improving the knowledge and skills of motorcycle riders on road safety laws and regulations, safe riding practices, and the use of protective gear in a bid to curb road accidents.

“The Foretia Foundation is working to improve the quality of lives in Cameroon and boost the economy as a whole,” Fouefack said. 

He added that: “We have seen what consequences befall the country when riders don’t comply with driving norms and respecting road safety measures. So, we decided to carry out the training so that they will assume their responsibilities while plying the roads. Even though some know how to drive, they need to have all necessary documents like driving licence”. 

Enter facilitator 

The capacity building was facilitated by Driving Permit and Road Safety Inspector of Mefou and Afamba Divisional Delegation of Ministry of Transport, Fonkou Kwetche Cedric. 

Going by Fonkou Kwetche Cedric, the motorbike riders were drilled on the six pillars of road safety. 

He pointed out that the participants were equipped on motorcycle road safety laws and regulations in Cameroon, strategies for reducing fatigue and avoiding drug riding as well as adopting safe riding practices, including speed limits, lane use, helmet use as well as other protective gears like helmets, gloves, and jackets

He explained that the existing motorcycle law in Cameroon stipulates that motorcycle riders are expected to possess a Category A license, a jacket with a registered number provided by the council and proper vehicle registration documents. 

With over 6,000 motorcycle riders in Yaounde, reports indicate that only about 2,000 are registered with the necessary documents. 

The road experts further explained that most motorcycles in the country do not have plate registration number nor insurance, making their regulation within the country more challenging particularly in the case of accidents. 

“A majority of motorcycle riders are often unlicensed with no formalised training to operate motorcycles, leading to many of them disobeying traffic rules and not wearing safety helmets,” Fonkou said. 

In several areas, he stated, motorcycle riders often overload with more than two adult passengers or as many children as possible, all without helmets.

Enter President of FECACOMOTTAX in Mfoundi 

According to the President of the Mfoundi Branch of FECACOMOTTAX, Yufonyuy Francis, the capacity building was a timely initiative to save lives of Cameroonians.

“It is very important for motorbike riders to master the driving code and road signs, because they are carrying lives. Some of the riders, once they have a motorbike, they just engage the road without even having necessary documents or understanding road safety techniques,” Yufonyuy said. 

“So, this training was very welcomed by all the members of our association to build their capacities,” he added. 

The FECACOMOTTAX Mfoundi Branch President then advised his fellow motorbike riders to exercise prudence and patience when plying the road, so as to avoid the number of accidents recurrent on the country’s road network. 

It should be recalled that official reports reveals that over 16,000 road accidents occur annually in Cameroon, resulting in more than 1,000 deaths.

However, the World Health Organisation, WHO, estimates the figure as up to 6,000 deaths.  

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3224 of Monday September 9, 2024