The Office national de la sécurité routière (ONASER) has initiated an operation to control and raise awareness about road safety in major cities across Burkina Faso. On September 26, 2026, a team led by Commissioner Windlaneba Moïse Ouédraogo, Director of Standardization and Operations at ONASER, conducted an inspection in Ouagadougou to assess the campaign's progress. The team visited several key locations, including the roundabout of the bypass highway, the Komsilga road, the old toll booth on the Bobo-Dioulasso road, and the Avenue du Conseil de l'Entente in Gounghin.
At the Komsilga road, ONASER agents emphasized the importance of wearing helmets, checking for alcohol consumption, and ensuring vehicles were equipped with safety equipment such as warning triangles and fire extinguishers. One agent stopped a motorist, instructing him to return home to retrieve a helmet before being allowed to continue his journey. The motorist was told that no exceptions would be made, and he would have to comply with the regulations.
Some motorists expressed understanding and appreciation for the measures, acknowledging that they helped protect the population and prevent accidents. One motorist noted that while it could be challenging, the effort was necessary and beneficial. However, others attempted to negotiate or argue with the agents, who remained firm in their stance.
The ONASER team also conducted checks on vehicles, testing for alcohol consumption and verifying the presence of required safety equipment. At the old toll booth on the RN1, a driver was stopped and tested for alcohol consumption, with the device showing a reading of 0.505 g/L, exceeding the permitted limit for professional drivers. A second test confirmed the result, and the driver eventually acknowledged the importance of the operation.
The final stop on the inspection tour was the Avenue du Conseil de l'Entente in Gounghin, where the issue was not related to helmet use or drunk driving but rather to parking. The road had been transformed into an impromptu parking lot by users, clients of local businesses, and beverage sellers. ONASER agents began issuing fines to vehicles parked incorrectly.
According to Commissioner Ouédraogo, the objective of these regular operations is to ensure that road users respect regulations and safety guidelines. He noted that statistics showed an increase in accidents towards the end of the month and during weekends, emphasizing the need for road users to be more responsible.
The ONASER operation aims to encourage more civic and responsible behavior on the roads, with further inspections planned in various cities across Burkina Faso. The office hopes that these efforts will lead to a reduction in accidents and promote a culture of road safety.
Key points
- ONASER conducts regular operations to enforce road safety regulations in Burkina Faso.
- The operations focus on key issues such as helmet use, drunk driving, and vehicle safety equipment.
- The goal is to promote responsible behavior on the roads and reduce the number of accidents.
