As part of efforts to intensify its annual rainy season road safety sensitisation campaign aimed at reducing road crashes and achieving the 50 per cent reduction in road traffic accidents prescribed under the African Road Safety Charter, the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has concluded Park-to-Park sensitization in the western area ahead of the rainy season.
The interactive engagement brought together commercial truck drivers, executives of the transport union, the leadership of the Levuma Tipper Ground and officials of the SLRSA to discuss the challenges of driving during the rainy season, and the importance of complying with road safety regulations.
Speaking during the engagement, the Supervisor of the SLRSA Public Relations Unit, Abass J. Turay, said the programme forms part of the Authority’s ongoing efforts to educate drivers on road safety precautions that will help minimise crashes during the rainy season.
He noted that, as the lead institution responsible for road safety in Sierra Leone, the SLRSA remains committed to reducing road traffic accidents through continuous public education and close collaboration with transport unions and other stakeholders nationwide.
Turay further explained that Sierra Leone is now a member of the African Road Safety Charter, which seeks to reduce road traffic fatalities and injuries by 50 per cent. He said the country stands to benefit significantly from the Charter by implementing effective road safety measures.
Chairman of the Levuma Tipper Ground, Kallay Bangura, commended the SLRSA for organising what he described as a timely and important initiative, noting that such engagements are particularly beneficial to truck drivers.
“Road safety is important in every part of the world. I want to use this opportunity to caution every driver here to put safety first by avoiding over-speeding, ensuring their trucks have functional lights and braking systems, and refraining from driving while wearing slippers,” Bangura advised.
He further recommended that the SLRSA conduct regular road safety sensitisation programmes for drivers and other road users, while also calling on the Government to repair potholes on major roads to improve road safety.
Bangura assured the Authority that drivers at the tipper ground would implement the lessons learnt and encourage their colleagues to comply with traffic rules and regulations.
Delivering a presentation on defensive driving techniques, SLRSA Transport Manager, Daniel Kaitibie, said many drivers believe they know everything about safe driving when, in reality, they lack knowledge of several important road safety practices.
He explained that the objective of the engagement was to bridge those knowledge gaps and contribute to reducing road traffic accidents across the country.
He further encouraged motorists to inspect their tyres, brakes, lights and windscreen wipers before embarking on any journey, stressing that proper vehicle maintenance could prevent many road crashes.
Speaking on the legal requirements governing road use and traffic offences, SLRSA Manager of Safety and Enforcement, Augustine Lansana, said the Authority derives its mandate from the Road Traffic Acts of 2003 and 2007, as well as the Road Traffic Regulations of 2011, which prescribe penalties for various traffic offences.
He warned that speeding is a criminal offence that can result in prosecution. Other punishable offences include careless and inconsiderate driving, operating vehicles with faulty brakes, worn-out tyres, defective or missing windscreen wipers during the rainy season, failure to obey prescribed speed limits and traffic signs, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and using mobile phones while driving.
The engagement forms part of the SLRSA’s nationwide rainy season road safety campaign aimed at promoting responsible driving behaviour, improving compliance with traffic regulations and ultimately reducing road crashes and saving lives across Sierra Leone.