On November 15, 2026, Burkina Faso's Security Minister Mahamadou Sana addressed the nation on the occasion of the 18th National Road Safety Awareness Day, which coincided with the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Accident Victims. The minister emphasized the need for collective responsibility to prevent road accidents, which have become a major concern in the country.
Minister Sana's message, released by the Ministry of Security, stressed that roads should no longer be a place where recklessness and disregard for rules put lives at risk daily. He noted that road accidents not only claim lives but also compromise the future of many individuals. The minister called for a change in behavior, urging citizens to prioritize responsible actions while using the roads.
The theme of this year's Road Safety Awareness Day, "Zero Tolerance for Road Incivility," aims to promote a culture of responsibility among road users. Minister Sana emphasized that respecting the Road Code is not a recommendation but a fundamental civic duty that cannot be optional or negotiable. He warned that no urgency, social pressure, or personal consideration can justify taking risks that put one's life or others' lives in danger.
The minister highlighted that road incivility not only affects the perpetrator but also exposes other road users to irreversible dramas. To address this issue, the government has pledged to strengthen awareness and prevention actions, as well as controls and strict enforcement of existing laws. Minister Sana called on all road users, including drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, students, and transporters, to exercise prudence, courtesy, and civism at all times.
The government has also urged transporters to ensure their vehicles are in good technical condition, respect speed limits, loading norms, and authorized passenger numbers, and observe necessary rest times for safe driving. Additionally, Minister Sana appealed to parents, educators, community leaders, and civil society organizations to prioritize road safety education as a permanent concern.
The minister's message aims to create a culture of road responsibility, where every user plays a role in preserving human life. By associating remembrance of victims with user awareness, this day reminds that road dramas should not be considered a fatality but rather a call to collective awareness and concrete changes in behavior. The "Zero Tolerance for Road Incivility" slogan launched by Minister Sana requires a commitment that must now be translated into daily actions by every Burkinabe.
Ultimately, respecting the Road Code is seen as a way to protect one's life, preserve others' lives, and contribute to a more responsible society. The campaign aims to promote a change in behavior and attitudes towards road safety, with the goal of reducing road accidents and promoting a culture of responsibility among road users in Burkina Faso.
Key points
- Minister Mahamadou Sana has launched a zero-tolerance campaign against road incivility in Burkina Faso.
- The campaign aims to promote collective responsibility and a culture of road safety.
- The government has pledged to strengthen awareness, prevention, and controls to address road incivility.
