The NGO ALINAGNON, carrying placards and banners that read various requirements of road safety, join the infamous “crossroads of life” formerly called “crossroads of death” because of the horrifying number of traffic accidents that occur every year.
Fatal irony of fate, two hours before the arrival of the cortege at the place of the celebration, a woman was crushed by a truck. This is a tragic reminder of our remembrance this past November 21st.
The commotion created by this tragedy added even more importance to the solemnity of the celebration, the coordinator of the NGO ALINAGNON, Mr. Casimir MIGAN said: “To ensure our roads, so that the killing stops, reducing our speed, respect the rules of the road”, his voice still tied with the shock announcement of the poor lady died a few hours earlier in the same place. DINE Imorou Commander, Chief of the Brigade of traffic in Cotonou and Mr. Coovi YETE representative of the Director of National Centre for Road Safety (CNSR) recalled the need for motorcycle helmet, the use of the seat belt, control of brakes, headlight adjustment, checking the tires, respect for wading, speed limit especially in urban areas, and the respect unconditionally of the code of the road. “This is small effort that our roads will not be cemeteries,” concluded Mr. MIGAN.
On Saturday Nov 20th, as a prelude to the commemoration of the fifth World Day of Remembrance for victims of road accidents, the NGO ALINAGNON, organized a torchlight. The long procession of young people all carrying torches, banners and wearing reflective ended at the “Place of Remembrance.”
Obviously the commemoration of this day was a good opportunity for NGOs ALINAGNON well supported by the National Police, the CNSR, partner NGOs and Scouts of Benin to remind to everyone the fundamentals needed to secure roads in Benin.