« I want fifty | HOME | Shining like Stars »

November 16, 2008

Dozens die in Burkina Faso bus crash

Tragic news about yesterday's bus crash in Burkina Faso west of Ouagadougou.

I do not know which bus company was involved, but the fact is that all the buses of Burkina Faso are death-traps, especially the ones which travel on unsurfaced roads. At this time of year the roads are terrible, having been damaged by three months of heavy rain. The road from Djibo to Ouaga should be declared impassable, but as long as there are people willing to risk the journey, you can be sure the buses will continue to career along it at breakneck speed.

Earlier this year I was driving from Ouaga to Djibo and was hit by an oncoming STAF bus. I say 'was hit by' because my (borrowed) truck was motionless at the time - I had seen its dust cloud way off in the distance and had pulled over to the side of the road to let it pass. The bus whizzed by at about 50 miles an hour, smashing my wing mirror and gouging the whole side of the truck. To the bus driver's credit, he did stop to check that we were all right, and the director of STAF did agree to pay for repairs. At the time, we were happy and relieved that no one was hurt. But others are not so fortunate - in the very same week as this accident, a STAF bus with faulty brakes ran over a young man near Djibo and killed him.

My point is basically this: these are not roads to drive fast on. Britain's Highway Code is understandably silent on the subject of post rainy-season corrugations (known affectionately here as 'washboard'), potholes, slews of sand, wandering herds of cows, flocks of sheep and (nuttiest of all) goats, but none of these hazards should be underestimated when travelling in Burkina Faso.

Poor bus drivers - they are contending with bad brakes, bald tyres and any number of mechanical faults on their clapped-out buses. But the fact remains, if you are driving a clapped-out bus, 'Inshallah' won't cut it. You should drive more slowly. Occasionally in Burkina Faso I do come across a bus driver who regulates his speed sensibly, and when we arrive at journey's end I make a point of thanking him and complimenting him on his driving.

What happened yesterday was tragic. When will the bus companies learn the lessons of these accidents?

Posted by sahelsteve at November 16, 2008 11:52 AM