Citizen Reports and Smart Tachographs Enhance Algerian Road Safety

Algeria's National Gendarmerie is receiving approximately 350 daily reports of road infractions, demonstrating a notable increase in citizen engagement regarding public safety. Commander Rachida Aib, head of the information and communication office at the National Gendarmerie's road information and coordination center, highlighted that these reports, comprising between 200 and 250 via the "Tariki" page and 100 to 150 phone calls, signify growing public interaction. The majority of these citizen-led alerts concern behaviors and infractions in professional passenger and goods transport, including dangerous maneuvers, speeding, and mobile phone usage by drivers, with all reports relayed to operational units for prompt action.

In a complementary move to enhance road safety, the Ministry of Interior, Local Communities, and Transport is moving to activate the tachograph device for heavy-weight vehicles and passenger buses. This device is seen as a crucial tool for proactive prevention of traffic accidents in the professional transport sector. It functions by accurately recording vehicle speed, driving duration, and periods of rest and stoppage, offering a more precise monitoring system beyond traditional oversight.

The National Association of Professional Driving Instructors has welcomed the activation of the tachograph, recognizing it as an opportunity to further develop the country's road safety framework. This initiative, underpinned by existing legislative provisions such as Article 85 of Law No. 26-09 and Article 49 of Order No. 09-03, aims to transition from traditional observation of violations to a more data-driven approach. By identifying unsafe driving patterns and ensuring compliance with regulated driving and rest times, Algeria is working towards reducing accident causes and enhancing protection for professional drivers, passengers, and all road users through intelligent surveillance.