2024-08-19 22:34:20
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A large proportion of speed bumps in Guinea do not comply with the regulations on the subject. Almost all of them are illegal, if not wild. However, the law on the Protection of the National Road Heritage of the Republic of Guinea determines the conditions and rules for installing speed bumps on public roads. Article 14 of this law states that: “No one may install one or more speed bumps on public roads without the express authorization of the competent authority.”
But what is a speed bump? What does the Interministerial Committee for the Protection of Road Heritage (CIPPR) responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the conditions for protecting the national road heritage actually do?
A speed bump, which some call a lying gendarme or speed bump or even a tooth-breaker, is, according to technicians, a modification of the roadway in the form of a hump, intended in principle to slow down drivers. It allows, when it complies, of course, with the technical recommendations defined by the standard, to reduce speed and limit dangerous driving for the road safety of other road users, cyclists, two-wheelers and pedestrians.
Indeed, to protect road users, speed bumps must be made by professionals and announced by road signs or road markings. But very unfortunately, in our country, they are generally built wildly and anarchicly by non-professionals. Notwithstanding the fanciful, anarchic and revolting installation of these speed bumps in Conakry and in the interior of the country, apart from simple denunciations, the authorities of the Ministry in charge of Public Works do not do enough to monitor and sanction those who engage in such practices. Instead of guaranteeing road safety, these speed bumps contribute to the premature deterioration of the road surface and play a huge role in the health of road users and their vehicles. Worse, they often cause accidents.
Whether it is the installation of advertising signs and sign holders on public land, which are likely to dazzle road users or attract their attention, or that relating to the fixing of speed bumps, they must all comply with the regulations on the subject or with the spirit of the aforementioned law, at the risk of being exposed to eviction proceedings and legal proceedings. The same applies to the case of work likely to be carried out in the right-of-way of the public highway. Article 7 of this law provides for this purpose that: “Any occupation of the public highway for whatever reason without the prior authorization of the Minister responsible for roads, exposes the offender to eviction proceedings and legal proceedings.” Article 8 of the same law adds: “Any private occupation of the public highway is subject to prior authorization issued by the Minister responsible for roads. Private occupation of the public highway domain is subject to the payment of fees under the conditions set by Joint Order of the Minister responsible for roads and the Minister responsible for Finance.
The authorization is issued on a temporary basis and may be revoked without compensation.
In other words, wherever the installation of speed bumps is necessary, citizens should resort to the competent services of the Ministry in charge of Public Works. At the current pace of things, to be a little clearer, this department must set up a real structure for monitoring and repressing the anarchic and wild installation of speed bumps in Conakry as well as in the interior of the country. Rigorous and repressive measures must be taken to punish all offenders. When offenders of the standards for the installation of speed bumps are strictly punished, no one will engage in such practices. Moreover, why should the Ministry in charge of Public Works not involve Mayors, District Chiefs and others in monitoring and repressing the anarchic and wild installation of speed bumps?
The Ministry in charge of Public Works as well as the bodies responsible for the protection of the national road heritage, particularly the Road Management Agency (AGEROUTE), must look into this sad situation which today constitutes a real headache for road users in Conakry and in the interior of the country, particularly on national roads where these speed bumps can easily cause accidents, because people drive at high speed and there is often no indication of the presence of a speed bump. The brigade responsible for the protection of the national road heritage must be strengthened, equipped and trained to enable it to be operational or to act quickly, at any time and in any place.
Also, on the side of the Ministry in charge of Transport, the Guinean Road Safety Agency (AGUISER) should also get involved, particularly in terms of raising awareness among the population. On the other hand, local residents must take care of their children and animals. This is better than engaging in the anarchic, wild and objectionable installation of speed bumps.
To be fair, awareness campaigns in places of worship, in neighborhoods, media and others, must be organized, to allow populations to realize the danger of the illegal installation of speed bumps. Any installation of speed bumps must be previously authorized and validated by the competent services of the Ministry responsible for roads. Furthermore, it would be important today to review the Decree on the Modalities of application of the law on the Protection of the National Road Heritage of the Republic of Guinea, because the penalties provided for are often modest compared to the offenses or damage caused to the national road heritage.
Finally, those who violate the regulations relating to the use of national road assets must be severely punished for better exploitation and management of roads.
Easy MARA, Juriste