2024-07-26 07:46:18
Under the banner of “Safe Motorcycle”, this human and civic initiative carried out in Marrakech as part of the ongoing efforts undertaken by the police services in charge of urban traffic, sets itself the ultimate objectives of promoting road safety, preserving human lives, and raising awareness among motorcyclists about the dangers of the road.
It is also a question of encouraging them to strictly observe the many provisions of the Highway Code, in particular, respecting signs, wearing protective helmets, refraining from driving in prohibited areas and using cycle paths, in addition to the obligation to regularize the situation of their motorcycles by having the documents required by law.
This campaign, conducted in close collaboration with local authorities and civil society associations, also aims to contribute to improving and ensuring the fluidity of traffic and mobility in the various axes and arteries of the Ochre City and, above all, to put an end to the road massacre, particularly in a city like Marrakech where two-wheelers are the most popular, prized and most used means of transport.
Having aroused so much satisfaction and admiration from both the inhabitants and the guests of the city of the Seven Saints, this large campaign illustrates, if need be, this unwavering commitment, thanks to the exemplary implementation of the DGSN instructions in this area, and is part of the preventive strategy aimed at protecting human lives, in particular the category of motorcyclists, the most exposed to the dangers of the road.
Thus, and in parallel with the awareness-raising actions carried out directly with two-wheel users, the Marrakech police services are sparing no effort in combating, with all the required efficiency and speed, the criminal acts and other irresponsible behaviors that some motorcyclists may engage in, eminently exposing their lives and those of others to danger.
To do this, the police services work hard to intervene effectively to enforce the law, ensure its supremacy over all other considerations, and preserve the security and safety of citizens and thereby initiate legal proceedings against offenders, in the most absolute respect for the laws and regulations in force, and this, without undermining the sacrosanct principle of the right to free movement enjoyed by citizens.
Not being an easy undertaking, this mission is certainly accomplished, with self-denial, confirmed professionalism and a high sense of responsibility, by the police services in charge of traffic, for the well-being of citizens.
To ensure the success of this large campaign and enable it to achieve its objective of establishing Marrakech as the “essential capital of road safety”, police roadblocks and checkpoints are set up at the main roads and nerve centres of the city, as well as at the accident accumulation zones (ZAAC), such as the major crossroads in the districts of Guéliz, Ménara, M’hamid, Sidi Youssef Ben Ali and the old Medina, with the mobilization by the police services of all the necessary logistics and human resources, a MAP team observed on site.
Similarly, recovery trucks (Platforms) are mobilized for the occasion to ensure the transport to the pound of all motorcycles parked in prohibited areas or on sidewalks, or those without an insurance policy.
At these police checkpoints, the identity of two-wheeled users is carefully checked, and the availability and validity of documents (registration certificate, insurance policy, etc.) relating to their vehicles, as well as driving licenses for large engines, are verified.
In figures, the number of motorcycles checked during the period from January 12 to 23 as part of the “Secure Motorcycle” operation reached 5,960, including 800 in the district of the old medina, 681 in the district of M’hamid, 866 in the district of Menara, 487 in the district of Sidi Youssef Ben Ali, and 548 in the district of Guelliz, according to data from the Marrakech police headquarters.
Concerning the total number of motorcycles subject to fines, it is of the order of 4,990 during the same period, including 871 in Guelliz, 329 in Sidi Youssef Ben Ali, 554 in the Menara, 559 in Mhamid, and 620 in the old medina.
As for the motorcycles seized and deposited at the municipal pound, the total number is 737, including 132 in the old medina, 88 in M’hamid, 312 in the Menara, 111 in the Sidi Youssef Ben Ali area, and 35 in Guelliz, the same source added.
In a statement to MAP on this occasion, Peace Commander Mohamed Sirani, Deputy Chief of the Traffic Brigade at the Marrakech police headquarters, indicated that the police headquarters of the ochre city has registered for the road safety plan, through this campaign conducted under the banner of “safe motorcycles”, under the supervision of the Police Prefect.
This category without protection occupies a large place in the city of Marrakech, with a significant number of road users among motorcyclists, some of whom do not respect the Highway Code (signaling, driving in the wrong direction, excessive speed, and the organization of races without authorization on public roads), which is likely to negatively impact the quality and fluidity of traffic and expose human lives to danger, he deplored.
And to continue that the Traffic Brigade in Marrakech intervenes in this sense, in order to effectively fight against fines and to enforce compliance with the Highway Code, while issuing tickets to offending motorcyclists, and seizing motorcycles in an irregular situation and depositing them in the municipal pound by initiating the necessary proceedings against their owners, in strict compliance with the procedures in force.”
“The Traffic Brigade is also conducting a grid of the city by setting up a number of roadblocks and motorcycle checkpoints. The aim is to scrupulously ensure the smooth flow of traffic and to intervene at the appropriate time on a coercive level against offenders,” concluded Mr. Sirani.
2024-07-26 07:46:18