Devastating fire at Sofavinc: causes of the tragedy remain unknown

From January to June 2024, more than 3,000 cases of accidents occurred on Cameroonian roads, according to the 1 p.m. news on CRTV on July 15, 2024. The statistics are alarming: in these accidents, 256 people lost their lives and at least 254 injured people will have to live with the after-effects of these tragedies.

The topic was a major concern during the biannual conference of governors held in June 2024 at the Yaoundé City Hall. Some images of these accidents are still fresh in the memories, including the death of Landry Nguemo and his driver, as well as the tragic accident on the Dschang cliff on July 1, 2024. These incidents illustrate the ever-present danger on Cameroonian roads. In addition to deaths caused by intercity transport companies, personal vehicles are also involved in many cases. It is therefore urgent for the government to put in place measures to reduce this carnage.

Travel agencies have a strong responsibility

A video from the Ministry of Transport retracing the circumstances of the Dschang cliff tragedy highlights the dangerous behavior of some drivers. The video on board the TRESOR VOYAGES bus shows, for example, a driver dozing and driving at excessive speed despite the slippery state of the road.

The state of transport vehicles is also a major problem, with many second-hand buses in circulation. Despite reminders from the Ministry of Transport, some companies continue to fail to comply with government requirements. The case of TRESOR VOYAGES remains particularly notable.

The state of the roads is another major cause of accidents. Major roads such as Yaoundé-Bafoussam and Douala-Yaoundé require renovations to accommodate the constant increase in traffic. Drivers, trying to avoid potholes, often find themselves in dangerous situations, making collisions inevitable.

Prevention and awareness measures

The Department for Transport has introduced on-board cameras on public transport buses in an attempt to reduce dangerous driver behaviour. As the saying often goes, as sung by artist Black Roger’s: The road doesn’t kill. We kill. “The same video on the circumstances of the Dschang cliff accident also raises awareness among the population on the importance of wearing seat belts, a habit that remains difficult to instill among Cameroonians.

To significantly reduce road accidents, responsibilities are shared between the state, intercity transport companies and passengers whose lives depend on these measures. It is imperative that everyone becomes aware of their role and acts accordingly to ensure increased road safety.