The "March to School" campaign was launched on September 21, 2026, in Cotonou, Benin, with the aim of enhancing the safety of students on their way to and from school. The campaign, led by the National Road Safety Center (CNSR), will run throughout September in several cities in Benin. This initiative comes just days after the official start of the 2026-2027 school year, which was marked on September 14 at the Sikè Nord school complex in Cotonou.
During the first day of the campaign, CNSR teams visited several schools in Cotonou, including CEG Gbégamey, EPP Gbégamey, and Collège privé Notre-Dame-des-Apôtres. The sessions focused on educating students on safe behaviors when traveling between home and school. The CNSR emphasized that the campaign targets young pedestrians and cyclists who are vulnerable to road risks around schools. Students were advised to follow traffic rules, use designated pedestrian areas, and remain alert to vehicles.
The CNSR also reminded students using motorcycles to take necessary precautions, including wearing helmets for both drivers and passengers. According to Ariel Sacramento, Director-General of the CNSR, this is a critical aspect of road safety. Additionally, the CNSR urged motorists to be more vigilant during school hours when student movement around schools is more significant.
The campaign is not limited to Cotonou, as CNSR teams will also intervene in other cities, including Abomey-Calavi, Porto-Novo, and others, during the back-to-school period. This effort aligns with the CNSR's statutory missions, which include education, information, and awareness-raising activities for road users, as well as accident prevention. The CNSR was established by decree n°2025-319 on June 18, 2025.
The "March to School" campaign builds on previous initiatives by the CNSR, including the national "AGIR" campaign launched in March 2026, which aimed to promote responsible behavior on the roads. According to the CNSR, approximately 1,000 people die on Benin's roads every year. The campaign promotes simple yet essential actions, such as crossing roads with caution, being aware of traffic, and respecting traffic rules.
In Benin, wearing a helmet is mandatory for drivers and passengers of two-wheeled motorized vehicles, as prescribed by decree n°72-113 on April 27, 1972. The CNSR has also been working with partners to strengthen the national road safety strategy and improve accident prevention in Benin. These efforts aim to reduce the number of road accidents and promote a culture of road safety.
The "March to School" campaign is a timely reminder of the importance of road safety, particularly for students who are often vulnerable to road risks. By educating students and motorists on safe behaviors, the CNSR hopes to reduce the number of accidents and promote a safer environment for everyone. The campaign will continue in several cities across Benin throughout September.
Key points
- The campaign aims to educate students and motorists on safe behaviors to reduce road accidents.
- The CNSR will intervene in several cities, including Abomey-Calavi, Porto-Novo, and others, during the back-to-school period.
- Approximately 1,000 people die on Benin's roads every year, according to the CNSR.
