Sierra Leone’s worsening road safety situation is coming under renewed scrutiny as the Sierra Leone Police intensifies enforcement against traffic violations amid a sharp rise in fatal road crashes across the country.
The Information Officer, Police Traffic Secretariat, Chief Inspector Edward Kamara, said that the number of people losing their lives on the country’s roads is reaching alarming levels. Kamara said recent research suggests that “Road crashes now account for more deaths than other illnesses like malaria, which is a serious concern for our nation,” Kamara said. His remarks highlighted a growing road safety challenge facing Sierra Leone, where increasing numbers of vehicles, motorcycles and commercial transport operators are sharing roads that are often congested and poorly regulated.
The police recorded 653 arrests nationwide during the second quarter of 2026 as officers stepped up enforcement of traffic regulations. Kamara said that the enforcement generated more than NLe250,000 in traffic fines during the period. Freetown West recorded 102 arrests and collected NLe49,745 in fines, while Freetown East registered 93 arrests and generated NLe27,666.
The North-West recorded 119 arrests and collected NLe49,550, while the North-East recorded the highest number of arrests, with 133 cases and NLe47,200 in fines. In the South, police recorded 100 arrests and collected NLe24,425, while the East recorded 106 arrests and generated NLe50,550 in fines. He said the figures point to the scale of traffic violations being detected across different parts of the country. But beyond the revenue generated from penalties, he said the larger objective is to change behaviour and prevent avoidable deaths.
According to Kamara, a significant number of crashes are linked to overloaded vehicles and to operating without the required licences. “Overloaded vehicles can become difficult to control, particularly when travelling at high speeds or navigating damaged and congested roads. They can also increase the severity of injuries when crashes occur,” he stated.
He also noted that the presence of unlicensed vehicles and drivers further complicates the situation, raising questions about whether some road users have received adequate training and whether vehicles on the road meet the required safety standards.
Police are, therefore, urging drivers, commercial transport operators and other road users to take greater responsibility for their conduct.
He said the police had also raised concerns about the use of decorative lights on vehicles, stating they could distract other motorists and contribute to dangerous driving conditions. Although such lights might be installed for aesthetic purposes, he said, these lights could interfere with the ability of other road users to see clearly, particularly at night.
The warning comes as traffic volumes continue to increase, making visibility and concentration increasingly important for motorists. Since August 15, 2026, motorcyclists have been fined a combined Le11,450 for traffic offences.
The enforcement comes against the backdrop of the growing use of motorcycles as a means of transportation, particularly in areas where they provide a faster alternative to congested roads.
While motorcycles play an important role in moving people around the country, their vulnerability in crashes means that unsafe riding practices can have particularly serious consequences.