Overloaded Vehicles on Bo-Kenema Highway Prompt Calls for Action
Fatmata Grace Bangura Residents along the Bo-Kenema Highway have raised concerns about overloading by commercial drivers plying that route.
It is stated that drivers and vehicle owners are loading their vehicles beyond safe limits on the Bo-Kenema Highway, raising concern among road users and residents.
While motorbike riders in Kenema city face regular checks by traffic officers, some reports say that large vehicles on the highway pass through checkpoints without being stopped, even when they appear overloaded.
Photos and reports shared online show vehicles packed with passengers and heavy goods, with some people sitting on top or holding on from the outside. These vehicles are reported to often travel at high speeds despite their load.
Many people rely on such vehicles for long-distance travel, including market sellers, students, and families.
Community members have asked the Kenema Road Transport Authority to increase monitoring and take steps to improve the situation. They say enforcement should cover both city streets and highways.
Passengers are being advised not to board vehicles that appear unsafe or overloaded.
Transport officials have not yet made a public statement. Calls for more checks and better enforcement along the highway are increasing as road safety concerns grow.
These are vehicles usually returning from Ndowei (luma), from Gerihun on Fridays to mainly Bo City/ or seldom Kenema City as the case maybe
These vehicles leave late in the evening or night to undertake such a dangerous trip. It’s sad to note, and unfortunate though.
The police are on these roads seeing such things happening without actions.
Why the checkpoints on the roads