SLRSA Engages Stakeholders Ahead of Nationwide Standard Crash Helmet Enforcement

The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has engaged key road safety stakeholders as part of preparations for the nationwide enforcement of the mandatory use of standard crash helmets by commercial motorbike riders and passengers.

The consultative meeting, held at the Authority’s headquarters on Kissy Road in Freetown, brought together representatives of the Sierra Leone Police, the Bike Riders Union, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Civil Society Movement Sierra Leone to discuss strategies for the upcoming enforcement campaign.

SLRSA Executive Director James Bagie Bio said the initiative aligns with Sierra Leone’s commitment to global road safety following his participation at the United Nations General Assembly. He noted that the country is among five nations selected to serve on a steering committee promoting standard helmet use and other road safety measures aimed at reducing road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 50 percent by 2030.

Bio commended the Sierra Leone Police for their continued support and urged all stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in promoting safer roads.

WHO Health Promotion Officer Fredson Kuti-George reaffirmed the organization’s support for Sierra Leone’s implementation of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, describing the engagement as timely.

National Traffic Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Police, DSP Alimamy Koroma, emphasized that crash helmet use is already mandatory under Section 114 of the Road Traffic Act. He said the enforcement exercise is intended to prevent deaths and serious head injuries while calling for a nationwide public sensitization campaign to improve compliance.

Civil Society Movement Sierra Leone National Coordinator Juliet Anderson described helmet promotion as a shared responsibility, pledging the organization’s support through its Emergency Safer Roads Initiative. She also stressed the importance of reliable data to measure the impact of road safety interventions.

Bike Riders Union National President Ishmeal Sandy assured the Authority and the Police of the Union’s full cooperation, noting that while helmet use is not new to riders, resistance from some passengers and misconceptions about helmets remain major challenges.

SLRSA Deputy Executive Director Josie Abraham Scott-Manga said many motorcycle crash fatalities result from severe head injuries sustained by riders and passengers who fail to wear helmets. He stressed that stronger stakeholder collaboration, sustained public education, and enforcement of existing traffic laws are essential to reducing motorcycle-related deaths and injuries across Sierra Leone.