Description

Road accidents are a significant public health problem with various causes, including issues related to road development. In Ouagadougou, some roads result from inadequate urban planning, especially those near schools, which encourages students to disregard safety regulations. This situation exposes young people to the risk of accidents both on the road and in the vicinity of their schools. Research in this area has traditionally attributed road accidents primarily to user behavior, accounting for 80% of cases. However, travel should not only be viewed as a technical challenge but also as an issue of citizenship and adherence to road regulations. Key findings reveal the extent of the problem: 34% of post-primary and secondary schools are located near a paved road, and 92.5% of student respondents travel to school using individual means. Alarmingly, 47% of students report having no knowledge of road safety, while 22.5% of post-primary and secondary students state they have been involved in a road accident. These statistics underscore the need for better urban planning, enhanced road safety education, and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to safeguard young lives.