By Newman Anthony Levey in Bo
Some residents in Bo have expressed concern over recent increase in the spate of accidents in the township. They say accidents, which are mostly caused by motor bikes, have claimed the lives of many people.
Campaigners say in most cases, especially when they involved bikes, the riders run away, and the police have had problem trying to identify hit-and-run riders due to many factors that include failure of registration of bikes.
Last week, the story of Mohamed Mattia, a class Six (6) pupil, who had an accident on his way to take the National Primary School Examination which resulted in the death of his relative who was accompanying him, rekindled the debate. The bike rider in that incident, according to sources, has still not be identified.
The boy was taking to the Bo Government Hospital where he was treated and he later joined his colleagues to write the exam.
“I decided to write the NPSE after my accident the same day because my parents spent a lot of money for me to attend classes and school materials and I don't want to repeat class six (6)," he was quoted in reports.
Memunatu Barrie, a trader who was visiting a sick relative at the Bo Government Hospital, said her relative was hit by a motor bike around Sewa Road in Bo City and the victim had been taking treatment without any support from the rider.
The Executive Director for Passengers Welfare South & East, Mustapha Kpaka Jr., described the rate of accidents in the city as alarming.
“We expect at this time for a reduction of the rate of accidents, but instead it has increased. This has led to the amputation of some of the victims,” Kpaka said.
He noted that there are certain commercial motor bike riders who are without number plates or license to ride. When such people are involved in accident, he said, they run away for fear of facing the police.
Kpaka cited a recent incident involving a colleague of his who was hit by a bike. He said the rider ran away.
Kpaka said that one of the reasons for the situation is the deplorable road condition in some parts of the city, noting that during the raining season the roads get smaller due to sand erosion.
Just last month, a lactating mother boarded a motor bike and was headed for the Police station when she got involved in an accident. The rider wanted to run away but he was stopped by onlookers. The woman later died. The matter is at the Bo Magistrate court number 1.
Some motor bike riders admitted the seriousness of the situation, blaming it on overloading and reckless riding by the colleagues.
"Some of our colleagues are very reckless in riding. Overloading is the main cause of the accidents," said bike rider, Karim Lahai.
Inspector Michael Glen Bunduka, in charge of traffic in Bo West, told Politico that there are three main factors fueling road accidents in the city: over speeding, mechanical error and human factor.
“When they hit people and run away, we contact our personnel at the various checkpoints to bring them back," he said.
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