Living with the tramway still seems to be difficult. More than a year after this mode of transport was put into service, accidents have continued to increase. The latest occurred last Friday, right in the centre of the capital, specifically at the "Rabat-Ville station". A woman in her fifties was struck by a tram. Horrified and shaken by this monstrous accident, witnesses on the scene, the majority of whom were students, told Le Matin that "the victim was caught by the tram while trying to cross to the other side by climbing over the coupling between the two carriages. And it was at that moment that the tram started, killing her instantly".

"The deceased wanted to save a minute, but she lost her whole life," said a young student, who appeared extremely shaken. Another young boy, who could not believe his eyes, described the scene he witnessed as a "sequence from a Hollywood film". Two other women, also approached by "Le Matin", questioned the victim's behaviour. Certainly, they sympathised with the deceased, but they pointed the finger at her "irresponsible behaviour". "You have to be vigilant with the tram," they said.

After a few hours, the officials of the Rabat-Salé tramway company lamented this tragic accident. They stated, via a press release, that "the victim, who was trying to cross the tram track by passing between the two elements making up the tram stopped at the station, climbed over the coupling bar as the tram started. And despite the driver engaging the braking system following the controller's alert, the victim was dragged under the tram and succumbed to her injuries".

Indeed, the circumstances of this accident, the main cause of which is a lack of vigilance and awareness, should concern both citizens and officials. Suffering from very problematic urban mobility, the tramway came to the rescue of the capital. It has managed to change the situation in this regard. The tram has succeeded in integrating into the panorama of the two neighbouring cities: Rabat and Salé. However, there is still a long way to go, especially regarding awareness in order to achieve complete harmony with this mode of public transport. Because people do not get used to new means of transport overnight. On the citizens' side, students, in particular, have been able to easily familiarise themselves with the tram. For them, this means of transport has made their lives and travel easier. Before, they lived a real ordeal, especially students living in Salé who had to go to Madinat Al Irfane. On the other hand, another segment of citizens cannot adapt to the tram. Some pedestrians take safety rules lightly. They use the tram track and walk on the rails without worrying about either the signalling or the sudden arrival of the tram. Worse still, some make phone calls or listen to music while they are in the immediate vicinity of the tram platform. As for stubborn motorists, they try to venture onto the track, even though the golden rule is that "the tram always has priority". In other words, the tram is always right.

Many residents believe that it is appropriate to review the sound signal model announcing the arrival of the tram. Because this small bell sound rarely finds an attentive ear among pedestrians and motorists. Thus, it is necessary to think about putting in place a louder sound system. The return of security guards is also necessary, particularly at certain intersections and crossroads. Where there is heavier traffic. Strengthening security measures and changing mentalities remain essential to coexist with the tramway and to ensure that these accidents do not happen too often.

Tramway accidents are becoming more frequent. Friday's incident is the second fatal accident to occur. Last October, a collision between a tram and a small taxi in Salé cost the life of a person who was on board the taxi. The other two passengers were seriously injured. And for good reason: the taxi driver had not respected the signalling. It must also be remembered that the first tramway accident occurred even before it was put into service. The tram had surprised a man on his motorbike at the last minute. The latter escaped by abandoning his vehicle.

-* Fatal tramway accident in Rabat.

-* Lack of vigilance is the main cause.

-* Awareness campaigns are more necessary than ever.