Cameroon Bans Overnight Travel To End Road Massacre

The Department of Transportation in Cameroon issued a ban on night driving for intercity buses in the country among cities. The government took the decision after a year of fatalities killing the poor, improve road safety.

Last year, according to the Government of Cameroon, about 1258 people died in road accidents and 5,000 injured. Many of these accidents were caused by driving while intoxicated and speeding. While traveling at night is only five percent of public transport, which was responsible for 35 percent of traffic accidents.

The African Journal, those statistics led the Cameroonian government to issue a ban on night driving for intercity buses and taxis. Bello Bouba Maigari, Transport, signed the ban this week, which will not inter-urban bus 9:00 p.m. to 5:00, but it will not affect the personal or non-commercial vehicles.

Although the ban was issued and signed, it is difficult when the ban comes into force, but some are saying it will take several months to impose. The ban was under discussion since April.

Many residents Cameroon against the measure and believes that the leading cause of death and injury due to poor road conditions. Only 20 percent of roads in the country are well paved.

Residents are also concerned that agencies and the police try to take advantage of the imposition of penalties for drivers and transit agencies such as the elimination of driver’s license or a business closing. The vegetable vendors said the plan to reduce intercity bus service between 2100 and 0500 GMT will put them into bankruptcy, making it impossible for them to get their products to market without wilting in the heat of noon.