Burkina Faso Begins Testing Electronic Traffic Violation Detection System

 Authorities in Burkina Faso have begun testing an electronic traffic violation detection system, aiming to reduce road accidents and improve road safety, announced the country's Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana.

According to the minister, an average of 62 road accidents occur daily in the country, injuring about 50 people. More than 600 people die at accident scenes each year, but the actual number of victims may be "three to four times higher" if those who die later from their injuries are included.

In response, authorities decided to rely on a video surveillance system.

"I think that if we hit drivers where it hurts, we can curb this situation," Sana said, as quoted by Burkina 24.

He emphasized that the goal of the new system is not to increase budget revenues, but to protect citizens.

"Our goal is to make roads a safe place," the minister said.

According to authorities, in the first hours of operation, the system recorded 1,083 violations, later revised to 1,099 cases.

In the initial phase, the system detects four of the most common violations: running red lights, driving without a seatbelt, speeding, and using a mobile phone while driving.

Authorities also plan to create a special traffic violation investigation unit. The minister warned that the absence of a police officer at an intersection would no longer allow drivers to avoid responsibility.

By 2027, the number of video surveillance installations in the capital Ouagadougou is expected to increase three to fourfold, with the system gradually extended to other major cities.

In May, eight women died and nine others were injured in Burkina Faso when a truck overturned.