At least 269 people have died in Sierra Leone as a result of road accidents, the latest report by the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has shown. 

Manager of Research and Development at the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), Ambrose Tucker, said the fatalities include 157 females and 112 males. The number of children was not disclosed.

This grim figure represents a decrease from the same period in 2022, when 296 fatalities were recorded including 219 male and 77 female.

Mr. Tucker attributed the alarming road fatalities to overloading of vehicles with passengers and goods, as well as reckless alcohol consumption by drivers.

To address this pressing issue, the SLRSA has launched a digitized motor insurance database, which is designed to streamline operations and bring much-needed order to the insurance industry.

The digitized database will also enable the SLRSA to monitor the flow of vehicle licenses throughout the country, ensuring that only legitimate drivers are on the road.

SLRSA staff will undergo training to proficiently discern authentic digitized stickers from counterfeit ones. This will help to curb the use of fake stickers, which are often used to evade vehicle inspections and insurance requirements.

The SLRSA’s commitment to improving road safety extends beyond the digitization of motor insurance data. The Authority also plans to introduce stricter penalties for drivers who violate road safety regulations, as well as to conduct regular road safety campaigns to raise awareness among motorists.