Over the years, Madam Bendu said significant strides have been made by the SLRSA to improve on road safety and management through series of public education and awareness for both pedestrians and vehicle road users on the need to use the road in a manner that will not put peoples’lives, especially children at risk when using the road.
On the way forward, Dr Sarah Bendu stated that because the world is now a global village, there is a need to collaborate with other road safety authorities around the world and other partners involved in road use in order to improve on road safety management in a well-coordinated manner in terms of dealing with both public and private transport sectors, including modern technology methodologies, such as visible road signs, speed limit and alcohol tracking devices, a robust vehicle examination and fitness centre, solar CCTV and traffic light system, an improved decentralized licensees operation, ticketing process as well as a well-trained and disciplined warden service.
All these, she maintained, will be included in the road safety strategy for an improved road safety management.
Speaking to some road users, market women and other business operatives commended the effort the SLRSA has made over the years to give a new face but most of them were concerned about the overloading of commercial vehicles plying both short and long distances unchecked by the police and traffic wardens at various points.
Adama Kargbo, who sells vegetables said, “we are packed like cattle in poorly ventilated converted cargo vehicles and there is nothing we can do because the drivers will say they have to pay booking fees to the traffic authorities, for what?” she cannot say, raging.
Others complained angrily about the lethargy of the SLRSA to put a stop to iron seats in commercial vehicles, which most times are responsible for the increase in deaths when an accident occurs.
John Silver, a public servant emphasised that several appeals have been made for the Transport Ministry through the SLRSA to take action on what he described as an unacceptable behaviour by commercial vehicle owners to make extra profit from the public through illegal means, “This inhuman act is not done anywhere else, only in our country where there are laws but no one to enforce them,” he fumed.
Another business woman, Kadija Cole, appealed that the SLRSA urges the SLRA to redouble efforts to improve on road conditions around the city, which is also another reason for the many road accidents and that zebra crossings and other signs be made more visible at all times on all major roads and intersections.
