The development of Mohammedia, the importance of its road traffic, the state of certain key axes, the deficiency that characterises the road component in terms of the city's road layout, and the behaviour of certain road users are at the root of mobility problems and road insecurity. This situation reveals certain dysfunctions essentially due to problems that occur on the roads and for which the responsibility is often human. In this context, the number of accidents that occurred in Mohammedia during 2013 is around 1,029, with a sad toll of 18 deaths, 743 slightly injured, and 59 seriously injured. Among the causes of these accidents, it is worth mentioning the non-respect of the Highway Code, in addition to certain intersections between arteries that have become "accident-prone" zones, notably the Sebta, Hassan II, Ryad, and Moukawama boulevards.

The vehicles most involved are passenger cars, while the most vulnerable users are none other than pedestrians and people travelling on two wheels. This reality implies the implementation of concrete actions as a matter of urgency to improve urban mobility and reduce the number of accidents in urban areas. "It is high time to analyse in depth the problem of mobility and traffic accidents, to highlight the dysfunctions, and to implement an action plan so that Mohammedia becomes a model city in the prevention of road accidents and the protection of its users," explains this traffic officer. For this student who uses public transport for his journeys, "control and awareness campaigns do not seem to have dissuaded certain road users, and there is a tendency to forget that the life of every citizen is a societal responsibility."

Thus, the only alternative remains the development of an action plan that aims to promote road safety in the Mohammedia agglomeration. This plan must be part of a long-term vision involving all the actors concerned. To do this, we must first and foremost focus on the priority axes that should be developed for the success and sustainability of any plan, notably infrastructure, by persuading all the services concerned to finance equipment and engineering actions. It is difficult to understand the negligence towards certain black spots that continue to be the scene of serious traffic accidents. The insufficiency of signage, the failures of public lighting, and especially the absence of a bus station meeting the required standards are all elements pointed out because of their impact on urban mobility and the risks of accidents.

One of the primary actions to be carried out includes awareness and communication, as well as road safety education. However, any action must be accompanied by rigorous and regular checks. Also, the installation of radars at key points is essential. If these measures are necessary, one should not omit the encouragement of good practices by involving schoolchildren to design road safety projects.

Be that as it may, good safety management is a priority; it involves the coordination of the efforts of all stakeholders and at different levels to achieve encouraging results. Because road insecurity remains a multidisciplinary and multisectoral problem. Various actions are necessary. They must be translated into facts within the framework of securing the road space of Mohammedia.

Road chaos

The paralysis of traffic in certain parts of the city triggers the anger of road users and calls on public authorities to invest more and to think about a real urban travel plan, as well as to consolidate urban road infrastructure, without forgetting prevention and the scientific approach to identify the problem. For example, the Al Moukawama boulevard, one of the main axes of the city which extends over several kilometres with easy accessibility to the beach and the motorway, is the scene of serious traffic accidents. The improvements undertaken on this boulevard have not limited the risks of road insecurity due to the lack of rigour in controls. Bad driving, speeding, pedestrian inattention, non-respect of the Highway Code, the presence of animals, poor lighting and signage... A dangerous cocktail that prevails on this axis dotted with schools, and where accidents are increasingly frequent.