Organisers hope to reduce the 1,500 deaths recorded in the country each year.

Road accidents have claimed many lives around the country, particularly along express roads linking Douala, Yaounde, Bafoussam, and other towns, inflicting untold losses, misery and sufferings on victims, their families and the national economy.

In order to contribute to the reduction of road accidents in Cameroon, the “Ligue Nationale Contre l’Insécurité Routiére et de Défense de droits des Victimes (LIDGITIMES), “Association Soutien à la Sécurité de usagers de la route” (ASSURC) and “Africafrance Solidaire” are carrying on a week-long sensitisation campaign on road safety in some schools in Douala.

According to LIDGITIMES’ President, Ekani Ekani Gérald, the exact number of lives claimed by road accident in the Littoral Region is not documented but it is clear, however, that the yearly death toll in the country is officially said to be 1,500 people. Cormier Christian, President of the French-based NGO, “Africafrance Solidaire”, underscored the need for aggressive road safety campaigns to curb the alarming rate of road accidents in Cameroon.

He revealed that 40 years back, France suffered the same fate with a 17,000 yearly death toll which later narrowed to less than 3,000 thanks to sensitisation campaigns and good practices. He reiterated that good roads, good state of vehicles and positive mentality of road users will do the magic. The advocates will produce video clips on road safety practices and distribute in schools, radio and television channels for broadcast.