Kouls:The National Police of Kouls reported 1,265 offenses for not wearing a helmet over a four-day period from October 1 to 4, 2026, during a press conference held on Monday. This crackdown targets users of two and three-wheeled vehicles and follows a year of awareness campaigns and administrative tolerance.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Chief Commissioner Larba Salambanga, the regional director of the National Police of Kouls, stated that 1,138 of the offenders were fined on the spot upon payment of the fine and presentation of a helmet. However, 127 vehicles were seized and impounded as their owners either failed to pay the fine or could not present a helmet. The total amount of fines issued reached 3,414,000 FCFA.

These figures highlight ongoing non-compliance despite extensive information and awareness campaigns since the mandatory helmet law was implemented on January 1, 2025. In response to the persistent issue, police authorities have transitioned from prevention to strict enforcement as of October 1, 2026, as per received instructions.

Chief Commissioner Salambanga emphasized that the intent is not to increase fines but to ensure all users adhere to the helmet-wearing regulation. He announced that checks would persist without exceptions and called on the public to act responsibly by wearing helmets proactively.

He urged drivers to wear helmets before starting their journeys and encouraged parents to set a positive example by obeying traffic rules. "Wearing a helmet is not a constraint, but an act of love towards oneself and one's loved ones," he stressed, advocating for the practice to become a habitual action for preserving lives.