In Senegal, the authorities have given two-wheel users until March 13, 2025 to regularize their situation. A measure to combat crimes and accidents in which this type of unregistered vehicle is often involved, explains the Ministry of Infrastructure and Land and Air Transport.
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With our correspondent in Dakar, Birahim Touré
The Senegalese authorities want to regulate the circulation of motorcycles. This means of transporting people and packages is increasingly used in Senegal and often involved in road accidents. But their identification remains a problem.
The authorities have therefore decided to request their compulsory registration from January 6, 2025. A period of 3 months has been set for motorcycle drivers to regularize their situation.
“ All unregistered motorcycles will be systematically stopped by the police »
Transporting packages, people, and even money, motorcycles, also called “thiak thiak” or “jakarta”, are omnipresent in the Senegalese streets.
But, faced with their resurgence, local authorities point to a security risk. Valdiodio Ndiaye, director of road transport at the Ministry of Infrastructure and land and air transport, emphasizes: “ We see that many snatchings are carried out by people on motorcycles that are not registered. And it is difficult, if not impossible, for the police or gendarmerie to be able to get their hands on the suspected motorcycle because there is no license plate. »
He continues: “ We also see that there are many accidents where both wheels are involved. Therefore, all motorcycles which do not have proper administrative documents will be put out of circulation. And, when the free period is over, all motorcycles that are not registered will be systematically stopped by the police. »
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“Yes” for reorganization and regulation but the 3-month deadline is too short: this is in any case the opinion of Mamadou Ndiaye, president of the Senegalese network of two-wheel user organizations: “ It’s too fair. To achieve this, it would take six months. But we will try to increase communications, provide the right information so that young users know what to do. »
Nearly half a million people are motorcycle drivers in Senegal. According to figures from the National Road Safety Agency, each year, dozens of motorcycle drivers are victims of or cause traffic accidents. Very few are covered by insurance.