AYV News, August 7, 2026
The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has engaged key stakeholders ahead of a nationwide enforcement campaign on the mandatory use of standard crash helmets by commercial motorbike riders and passengers.
The consultative meeting, held at the SLRSA headquarters on Kissy Road, Freetown, brought together representatives from the Sierra Leone Police, Bike Riders Union, World Health Organization (WHO), and the Civil Society Movement to discuss strategies for improving compliance with road safety regulations.
The engagement forms part of efforts to reduce road traffic deaths and serious injuries associated with motorcycle crashes across the country.
Speaking during the meeting, Executive Director of the SLRSA, Mr. James Bagie Bio, said Sierra Leone is strengthening its commitment to global road safety initiatives following his participation at the United Nations General Assembly in the United States of America.
He noted that implementing the Road Safety Charter and other road safety interventions is crucial to achieving the objectives of the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030, which seeks to significantly reduce road traffic fatalities and injuries worldwide.
Mr. Bio disclosed that Sierra Leone is among five countries selected to serve on a steering committee responsible for promoting the use of standard helmets and other road safety measures.
He explained that the initiative is aimed at contributing to the global target of reducing road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 50 percent by 2030.
The SLRSA boss commended the Sierra Leone Police for its continued support and called on all stakeholders to maintain collaboration in promoting safer roads.
Representing the World Health Organization, Health Promotion Officer Fredson Kuti-George, described the engagement as timely and reaffirmed WHO’scommitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s road safety agenda under the UN Decade of Action.
Meanwhile, National Traffic Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Police, DSP Alimamy Koroma, reminded the public that helmet use is already a legal requirement under Section 114 of the Road Traffic Act.
DSP Koroma said the upcoming enforcement exercise is not intended as a punitive measure but as a life-saving intervention to prevent deaths and severe head injuries caused by motorcycle accidents.
He called for a nationwide public awareness campaign through various communication platforms to educate riders and passengers on the importance of wearing standard protective helmets.
National Coordinator of the Civil Society Movement Sierra Leone, Madam Juliet Anderson, described helmet safety as a collective responsibility and pledged continued collaboration with the SLRSA and other partners.
She also stressed the importance of reliable data collection to measure progress and evaluate the impact of road safety programmes.
The National President of the Bike Riders Union, Mr. Ishmeal Sandy, welcomed the engagement and assured authorities of the Union’s cooperation. He acknowledged that while many riders understand the importance of helmets, resistance from some passengers and misconceptions remain major challenges.
Chairing the meeting, Deputy Executive Director of the SLRSA, Mr. Josie Abraham Scott-Manga, noted that many motorcycle-related fatalities are caused by serious head injuries resulting from failure to wear protective helmets.
He emphasized that stronger stakeholder collaboration and increased public sensitization will be critical to improving compliance and saving lives.
The SLRSA said the nationwide enforcement campaign reflects the government’s broader commitment to improving road safety through public education, partnership, and enforcement of existing traffic laws.
