Benin's Unusual Tie Rule for Motorcycle Passengers

In Benin, there exists an unusual local custom related to motorcycle travel that discourages passengers from wearing neckties while riding. This practice stems from an old safety consideration: neckties, if loose or long, are said to pose a dangerous risk of entanglement in the motorcycle's moving parts or in roadside obstacles. While not codified into formal traffic law, this cautionary tale has been passed down through local lore and is sometimes mentioned by motorcycle taxi (zemidjan) drivers. It is unclear how strictly this custom is followed or enforced, and it appears more as a traditional safety warning than an official regulation. The necktie caution highlights the unique ways in which everyday fashion intersects with transport safety in Benin's bustling streets. Such customs reveal the creativity and practical concerns of local transport culture, even if they may seem unusual to outsiders.