The Moroccan government officially launched a nationwide road safety initiative on Monday, marked by the establishment of a model road safety village in Hassan I Park, Marrakech. The event was highlighted by the signing of a partnership agreement aimed at enhancing the safety of motorcycle and tricycle riders by providing them with certified helmets.
Speaking at the event, Abdelssamad Kayouh, Minister of Transport and Logistics, emphasized the importance of road safety measures, particularly in cities with high motorcycle usage like Marrakech.
“On the sidelines of preparations for this international forum, the ministry, in collaboration with partners such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization, has established this model village to address various aspects of road safety, including education for younger age groups and preventive measures. As part of this effort, 50,000 helmets have been distributed,” he stated.
Kayouh stressed that Marrakech was selected for this initiative due to the high number of motorcyclists who are disproportionately affected by road accidents. The government, in cooperation with insurance companies and the World Bank, plans to expand the helmet distribution program across Morocco.
The minister also acknowledged the personal toll of road accidents, noting testimonies from victims’ families. “This is a collective responsibility, and prevention is the first step,” he said.
Benacer Boulaajoul, Director-General of the National Road Safety Agency (NARSA), highlighted that the initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the Ministry of Equipment and Water, and various regional stakeholders. “This road safety village, supported by the Marrakech-Safi Regional Council and local authorities, is part of a broader strategy to implement crucial infrastructure projects that enhance road safety,” he explained.
The agreement focuses on several key areas, including:
- Improving infrastructure with better road signage, pedestrian crossings, and protective barriers.
- Addressing accident-prone areas by enhancing road conditions.
- Creating and maintaining dedicated lanes for motorized two-wheelers.
- Conducting extensive awareness campaigns and forming road safety education clubs.
Boulaajoul outlined three main areas of focus for the initiative:
- Traffic education: Instilling safe driving behaviors from a young age.
- Community involvement: Engaging civil society organizations in road safety awareness efforts.
- Motorcyclist safety: Given that motorcyclists account for over 40% of road fatalities in Morocco, the initiative stresses helmet use and medical fitness checks for drivers, which are now mandatory before obtaining or renewing a driver’s license.
The agreement aims to position Marrakech as a national leader in road safety by implementing a structured action plan from 2025 to 2028. The initiative brings together several governmental and local entities, including the Ministries of Interior, Transport, and Equipment, the Marrakech-Safi Regional Council, and the National Road Safety Agency.
The signing ceremony was attended by key figures such as Abdelssamad Kayouh, Minister of Transport and Logistics; Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water; Jean Todt, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety; and Fathallah Oualalou, Wali of the Marrakech-Safi region, among others.
The event coincides with the Fourth Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, co-organized by the Moroccan Ministry of Transport and Logistics and the World Health Organization. Over 2,700 participants, including 600 high-level experts and representatives from major international organizations such as the World Bank, the International Transport Forum, and the International Road Federation, are attending the conference.
With a focus on achieving tangible outcomes, the conference aims to strengthen global commitments, encourage knowledge exchange, and leverage the UN Sustainable Development Goals to improve road safety worldwide.
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