The Police Nationale of Burkina Faso has conducted an operation dubbed "Bouclier Tête Durcie" from October 1 to 31, 2026, which has yielded a total of 99,371,000 FCFA in fines. The operation, led by the Director of Public Security, Commissioner Divisionnaire de Police Sibiri Nébilè Amidou YOIN, aimed to enforce the mandatory use of helmets by motorcyclists and other road users. According to the Director, the operation has had a positive impact on the ground.
The operation has resulted in a significant increase in compliance with the helmet use regulation. As of the end of October, 98% of users in major cities such as Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, and over 89% nationwide, were wearing helmets. This represents a substantial improvement from previous months. The number of users arrested for not wearing helmets has also decreased progressively, from 14,165 in the first week of October to 4,518 in the last week.
During the operation, a total of 42,448 users were controlled, and 30,424 were fined on the spot for not wearing helmets. Additionally, 10,027 vehicles were impounded for non-compliance with helmet use and non-payment of fines, while 705 vehicles were seized for other traffic-related offenses. The Police Nationale has attributed the success of the operation to the cooperation of the Burkinabè people, who have come to understand the importance of wearing helmets.
The Director of Public Security has emphasized that wearing helmets should no longer be seen as a simple regulatory requirement but as a reflex for survival. He described helmet use as a "revolutionary act" and urged all users to strictly adhere to the regulation. The Minister of Security and the Director General of the Police Nationale have also expressed their appreciation for the cooperation of the Burkinabè people.
The Police Nationale has announced that it will intensify its operations, day and night, to achieve even better results in the context of the "Bouclier Tête Durcie" operation. The goal is to make helmet use a habit among all road users and to reduce the number of accidents on the roads. The operation has been hailed as a success, with a significant increase in compliance with helmet use regulations.
According to the statistics, the number of users arrested for not wearing helmets has decreased significantly over the course of the operation. This trend is expected to continue, with the Police Nationale committed to enforcing the regulation and promoting road safety. The success of the operation has also been attributed to the collaboration between the Police Nationale and other stakeholders, including the Ministry of Security.
The "Bouclier Tête Durcie" operation is part of a broader effort by the Burkinabè government to improve road safety and reduce the number of accidents on the country's roads. The operation has been welcomed by road users, who see it as a necessary measure to protect their lives. The Police Nationale has reiterated its commitment to serving the public and promoting road safety.
Key points
- The Police Nationale collected over 99 million FCFA in fines during the one-month operation.
- The operation resulted in a significant increase in compliance with helmet use regulations, with 98% of users in major cities wearing helmets.
- The Police Nationale will intensify its operations to achieve even better results in promoting road safety.
