Since Sunday, 20 September 2026, law enforcement units have launched a large-scale campaign targeting motorists and motorcyclists who break the Highway Code. More than one hundred two-wheel riders and about ten car drivers were arrested and fined during the first two days of the operation at several strategic points.

The crackdown gathered pace on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, in Benin’s economic capital. In the Fidjrossè area alone, over forty motorcyclists were stopped within a single hour, while many car drivers were also caught on the Marina boulevard.

Offenders face a strict penalty scale: using a phone while driving or riding costs 20,000 CFA francs, overloading attracts a 10,000 CFA franc fine, driving the wrong way carries a 6,000 CFA franc penalty, and failing to wear a protective helmet is fined 5,000 CFA francs.

Patrols are also keeping a close eye on traffic lights. Any red-light violation exposes the offender to the regulatory sanctions set out in the law.

A coordinated deployment across Benin’s major urban centres

Far from being limited to the economic capital, this security clampdown covers all urban hubs in Benin. Police detachments are actively deployed at junctions and main roads in Abomey-Calavi, Porto-Novo, Sèmè-Podji, Ouidah, Bohicon and Parakou.

The stated goal of the police command is to eradicate risky behaviour, preserve human lives and restore lasting collective discipline on the national road network.