By: Problyn J. Alpha
The Traffic Department of the Motema Police Division has intensified its road safety sensitization campaign with an awareness session for pupils of Kono Model Academy in Kokoayima, Kono District.
The initiative, led by the Divisional Traffic Officer (DTO), Inspector Sia Linda Gborie, forms part of the division’s three-month road safety sensitization and accident prevention campaign aimed at promoting responsible road use, preventing road traffic crashes and improving compliance with traffic laws and regulations.
Addressing the pupils, Inspector Gborie emphasized the importance of developing safe road-use habits from an early age. She explained the different categories of road users and urged pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, drivers and other road users to exercise vigilance, patience, discipline and mutual respect.
She identified speeding, reckless driving, dangerous overtaking, overloading, distracted driving, failure to obey traffic signs and signals, and driving under the influence of intoxicating substances as major causes of road traffic crashes.
Inspector Gborie particularly cautioned the pupils to exercise extreme care when crossing roads, walking along busy routes, boarding or alighting from vehicles, and interacting with other road users.
She stressed that road safety is a shared responsibility that requires the collective commitment of law enforcement agencies, drivers, pedestrians, schools, parents and the wider community.
The pupils were also encouraged to become road safety ambassadors in their schools, homes and communities by sharing the knowledge gained during the session and encouraging others to obey traffic rules and adopt safer road-use practices.
The awareness session forms part of the ongoing three-month campaign being implemented by the Traffic Department across the Motema Police Division.
The Sierra Leone Police, through the Motema Police Division, continues to urge all road users to prioritize safety, respect traffic regulations and contribute to preventing avoidable road traffic crashes.