A patrol team was on the Yaounde-Sangmelima highway on February 27, 2016.

The National Gendarmerie has intensified efforts to ensure safety on highways in the country. In continuation of its road safety campaign, “Operation Control-Monitor-Punish,” a team of gendarmes was on the Yaounde-Sangmelima highway on Saturday February 27, 2016. Led by Colonel Minabou Aboubakar Justin, Supervisor of the Road Safety Campaign, they carried out checks at different Gendarmerie posts on the highway linking Yaounde to the Southern part of Cameroon.

At the Zamakoue Gendarmerie Post, checks went on as usual with rigour. The offences booked were mostly over-speeding, over-used tyres, lack of spare tyres, lack of First Aid Box, un-lit/illegible vehicle number plates, lack of speed indicators, poor breaks and impromptu breaking and non-transparent glass, among others. The fines ranged from FCFA 2,400 to FCFA25, 000. Detectors were used to detect if there were any metal devices on board.

One disgruntled motorist who was slammed a fine of FCFA 25,000 for over speeding said he admitted his error, but complained that there were no road signs along the highway indicating speed limits. Gendarmerie officers said he was driving at 105km per hour on that stretch of road instead of 80 km per hour. Another driver, Nna André, an official with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife in Mbalmayo, said he paid a fine of FCFA 25,000 for over speeding while going to work.

A Toyota Hilux pick up van carrying militants of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, CPDM party who were on their way to Mbalmayo for a rally was stopped by the gendarmerie officers only to find out that it was carrying in its booth a young man also going for the rally. He was obliged to alight and continue rather than being transported like a piece of luggage.

Speaking to journalists, Col. Minabou Aboubakar Justin said the road safety campaign precedes the Easter holiday. As a result, the National Gendarmerie wants to see children go on holidays safely. It is also in line with the activities of the gendarmerie to reduce deaths from road accidents. Concerning complaints by motorists about the absence of road signs on the highway, he said the Gendarmerie will pass on the grievances to the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Public Works for steps to be taken in future.