In the last year alone, the number of fatalities resulting from road traffic accidents in The Gambia has reached a total of 148.
The Gambia Police Mobile Traffic Unit revealed this information at a news conference held at the headquarters of the National Road Authority in Bijilo.
A conference was convened to raise awareness among drivers about safety measures, particularly on the recently constructed Bertil Harding Highway.
The Bertil Harding Highway is currently undergoing development, however some portions have been made accessible for traffic. Regrettably, significant accidents have occurred since the road was inaugurated, mostly due to drivers’ conduct,” said Ousman Sanyang, the director general of the National Road Authority (NRA).
Ensuring road safety is a shared obligation that should concern everyone. According to Mr. Sanyang, the primary cause of most significant accidents is not the inadequate road design, but rather the actions and conduct of the drivers.
He urged motorists to comply with traffic regulations and collaborate with law enforcement officials to guarantee the safety of all those using the road.
According to Commissioner Lamin King Colley of the Police Traffic Unit, police records indicate that there were 1,210 accidents resulting in the loss of 148 lives.
According to him, Gambia presently holds the 8th position globally in terms of nations with the greatest number of traffic casualties.
Commissioner Colley, who characterized this phenomenon as a ‘pandemic’, said that the majority of the accidents were a result of irresponsible behaviors such as excessive speeding, dangerous overtaking, driving under the influence, and engaging in automobile racing.
Omar Ceesay, the president of the GTU, emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among all parties involved to proactively mitigate road accidents in the nation. He said that the Gambia Transport Union is dedicated to collaborating with the NRA to educate and raise awareness among drivers on road safety.
Bakary Manneh, a road safety engineer, emphasized the need of adhering to fundamental road use regulations despite ongoing work. He warned that if the current rate of accidents persists, the road may need to be temporarily closed until it is deemed safe for official opening.
Drivers are advised to yield to traffic on their left that is already inside the roundabout and rotating.
He said that any motorist caught engaging in traffic violations would be subjected to the full extent of legal consequences. In addition, he emphasized the need for pedestrians to be aware of designated crossing areas and said that the NRA would be implementing temporary measures to create safe pedestrian crossing zones.