Dori:The Liptako Regional Directorate of the National Police has arrested 151 road users and seized 137 vehicles over four days as part of "Operation Head Shield," an initiative aimed at enforcing helmet use among motorcycle users in the city.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Commissioner Namagna Traor, the regional director of the National Police, announced that the operation began on October 1, 2026, following an initial awareness phase. The goal is to ensure compliance with the mandatory helmet-wearing law.

During the first four days of the operation, police issued fines to 14 offenders, collecting a total of 132,000 CFA francs in fixed penalties. Commissioner Traor emphasized that helmet use should not be seen as merely a way to avoid police checks but as a life-saving measure in case of an accident.

Traor explained that "Operation Head Shield" aims to establish good road safety practices and is not targeted against the population. He criticized certain behaviors, such as improperly wearing helmets or only putting them on near checkpoints, and urged consistent and correct helmet use.

The Commissioner also encouraged the public to make helmet-wearing a habit from the moment they acquire a vehicle, advising buyers to request a helmet when purchasing a motorcycle.

Several individuals, including Hassan Banc, who retrieved their seized vehicles, acknowledged the operation's importance and committed to wearing helmets regularly during their travels. The National Police's initiative seeks to instill a genuine road safety culture in Dori by prioritizing behavioral change to reduce traffic accident consequences.