By Ruth Yeabu Sesay
The Public Relations Officer of the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority (SLRSA) Abdul Karim Dumbuya has revealed that they have over five hundred vehicles in their custody for various public service offences.
Speaking to Politico on the 15th November 2022, Dumbuya said: “we are enforcing the rules together with the Police, the Road Safety Corps and we issue tickets for some of those offences”.
He said the laws have been in existence and embedded in the Road Traffic Act 2007 and Road Traffic Regulation of 2011.
In a press statement issued by SLRA on the 14th November 2022, the institution listed several offences and fines that are to be levied on drivers of commercial vehicles found wanting.
Some of the public service offences that were listed include carrying excess passengers, poor dress code, driving omnibus on an unauthorized route, driving and smoking while the vehicle is in motion, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving a motor vehicle dangerously etc. The fines that will be levied will range from between NLe300 and 400, whilst other offences are considered arrest able.
Deputy Chairman of Charlotte Street Park, who is a taxi driver, Jimmy Foday said that the laws are meant for the safety of the passengers as well as the drivers themselves therefore the fines are necessary.
Foday explained that by virtue of his position, he ensures that drivers are in the right state of mind before driving, adding that they will inform drivers about the various offences so that they may not get in trouble with the Police and the law.
Supporting and commenting on the listed offences, mini-bus driver at the Regent Street Park Brima Kamara stated that looking clean and presentable is essential for business people in attracting customers, and agreed that overloading is dangerous and can lead to accidents or deaths.
Another driver Augustine Koroma suggested that an avenue be created wherein they do not interact with the Police but the Drivers Union, explaining that the union should act in place of the Police as they have various parks across the country where they (drivers) pay different fees. He added Police’s duty should be to check the manner in which drivers conduct themselves in the execution of their services.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (18/11/22)
