By Sahr Ibrahim Komba
Sierra Leone is experiencing an escalating road safety crisis, with poor road use habits, weak enforcement, and deteriorating driving standards fueling an alarming rise in injuries and fatalities nationwide. What was once a manageable challenge has now evolved into a national emergency, one demanding urgent reform, stronger laws, and a collective shift in behavior from all road users.
Across the country, unsafe road practices remain deeply rooted among motorists, pedestrians, and commercial transport operators. Many drivers operate vehicles without proper training or certification from recognized driving schools or the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA). This lack of professional preparation places thousands of commuters at risk daily, especially in congested cities like Freetown, Bo, and Makeni.
Pedestrians, too, contribute to the crisis. Many unknowingly put themselves in danger by crossing at random points, ignoring zebra crossings, or jaywalking through busy streets. This has led to numerous avoidable collisions, including incidents involving schoolchildren and elderly residents.
A retired mechanic who chose anonymity lamented the decline in discipline and professionalism among today’s drivers. He disclosed that many young drivers rely on harmful substances to stay awake for extended hours, resulting in impaired judgment and deadly mistakes.
“In our time, you had to undergo proper training before becoming a driver,” he explained. “Today, people can obtain licenses without ever stepping into a classroom or taking a test. This is destroying lives,” he stated.
He also accused the SLRSA of prioritizing revenue generation over public safety, issuing licenses to unqualified drivers, claims echoed by many transport union members and commuters who feel unsafe on the roads.
In addition to the danger, is the growing trend of distracted driving, especially the rampant use of mobile phones. Reports suggest that both private and commercial drivers frequently make calls, text, and even browse social media while driving. Some young drivers have been seen recording videos for TikTok and WhatsApp status updates while navigating busy highways. Several fatal crashes in recent years have been linked to mobile phone distractions.
Conflicts between drivers, passengers, and apprentices also worsen the situation. Disagreements over pick-up points often escalate into physical fights inside moving vehicles jeopardizing the safety of everyone onboard and nearby road users.
Reckless driving remains one of the leading causes of Sierra Leone’s road crashes. Speeding, drunk driving, and chronic overcrowding particularly among Keke and poda poda operators continue to kill and injure hundreds each year. Meanwhile, weak enforcement of traffic laws allows dangerous driving habits to flourish with little consequence.
Taxi drivers who run from Freetown to Makeni sometimes drive for long hours and use the road two or three times a day. A driver who decided to be anonymous regularly use Makeni Road said that he usually takes energy drink to stay awake and strong while using the busy Makeni Road. He confessed that many of his colleagues take energy drink or tramadol so that they can be able to make two or three trips a day without getting tired.
Africa, as a whole, records the world’s highest fatality rates, accounting for 19% of global road deaths as indicated by the WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023. Vehicle safety standards remain poor, and many commercial vehicles on Sierra Leone’s roads are old, poorly maintained, or imported as second-hand vehicles that no longer meet safety requirements in their countries of origin.
The impact on families and the economy is staggering. Young people are the most affected, and many survivors suffer lifelong disabilities such as amputations, spinal injuries, and brain trauma. Families often face overwhelming medical expenses, while the national health system struggles with preventable emergencies.
Government and partners including the SLRSA and the World Health Organization (WHO) are working to improve road safety through awareness campaigns, policy reforms, and community outreach. Sierra Leone’s ratification of the African Road Safety Charter demonstrates a growing commitment, but experts warn that stronger enforcement and consistent public education are essential if progress is to be sustained.
Tragedy struck the sector in April 2024, when the SLRSA’s Head of Public Relations and Outreach died in a road accident highlighting that no one is safe, not even those advocating for safer roads. On 20th November 2025, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, together with SLRSA, held a solemn wreath-laying ceremony to honor all victims of road accidents across the country. Families, government officials, and road safety advocates gathered in solidarity, mourning those lost and renewing calls for urgent reforms.
Recent global assessments paint a worrying picture. The WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 confirms that low- and middle-income countries contribute more than 90% of global road deaths, with Africa the hardest hit. Experts interviewed by Voice of America note that no African nation fully meets international best practices for road safety legislation.
The Global Road Safety Facility’s 2024 report, Traffic Accidents, Crash, Fatalities & Injury Statistics: Road Safety in Sierra Leone, reveals that Sierra Leone’s fatality rate per 100,000 people remains significantly higher than global leaders like Sweden, Norway, and Singapore. Despite low motorization levels, the country continues to record disproportionately high deaths strong evidence that road crashes stem from weak systems, unsafe behavior, and poor infrastructure rather than heavy traffic.
Stakeholders across the transport sector agree that Sierra Leone road needs urgent reforms. These include stricter enforcement of traffic regulations, improved driver training, tougher penalties for violations, deployment of digital enforcement systems such as speed cameras, and stronger public education campaigns targeting both drivers and pedestrians.
Unless the country takes decisive action, road accidents will continue to rob families of breadwinners, children of parents, and communities of their brightest young people. The time to act is now and the responsibility rests with every Sierra Leonean who uses the roads
