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Kenema and Kailahun have reportedly witnessed a disturbing rise in road accident deaths in recent months, with concerns growing over the alleged abuse of tramadol by commercial riders and drivers operating in the two districts.
Speaking in an interview with Solid Media, renowned journalist and former Assistant Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) in the Eastern Region, Patrick A. Kai, said communities in both districts are continuously burying loved ones as a result of fatal road crashes.
Kai described the roads in Kenema and Kailahun as increasingly dangerous, blaming reckless driving and drug abuse among some commercial motorbike riders, keke drivers, and vehicle operators for the growing number of deaths.
According to him, many riders and drivers are allegedly misusing tramadol, a prescription painkiller, in an attempt to remain awake and active for extended periods. He said although the drug may provide temporary energy, it often affects judgment and slows reaction time, leading to deadly accidents.
He noted that the victims include young men, students, traders, and family breadwinners, adding that hospitals in Kenema are struggling to cope with the increasing number of accident-related cases.
Kai further explained that tramadol abuse can cause dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision, aggression, and impaired concentration, all of which pose serious risks to road users. He expressed concern that law enforcement remains weak, while roadside drug testing is almost non-existent, allowing riders and drivers to operate under the influence without detection.
In response to the situation, Kai called on the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, the Sierra Leone Police, and local councils in Kenema and Kailahun to take urgent action to address the crisis.
He urged authorities to introduce breathalyzer and drug screening measures at checkpoints, noting that breathalyzers are already being used in Freetown and in other countries to detect alcohol consumption among drivers. He recommended that testing should also cover substances such as tramadol during roadside inspections.
Kai also called for stricter enforcement of existing laws, including the immediate suspension, fining, and prosecution of any rider or driver found operating under the influence of drugs.
Additionally, he appealed for a broad public awareness campaign involving bike riders’ unions, market women, youth groups, and religious leaders to educate communities about the dangers of driving under the influence. He said radio discussions and social media campaigns in Krio and local languages would help spread the message more effectively.
He further urged authorities to tighten regulations on the sale of tramadol, stressing that pharmacies and drug shops should be monitored to prevent the drug from being sold without prescription.
Kai maintained that many of the deaths currently being recorded should not be described as accidents because they result from preventable decisions. He called on both authorities and transport operators to prioritize public safety by enforcing the law and promoting responsible behavior on the roads.
