September 9, 2021
BY: KAMAL M BARRIE (KENEMA)
In an exclusive interview with A-Z media, the Police Traffic Data Officer in the person of Sgt. Richard Nyallay has revealed that out of fifty four (54) accidents for the entire eastern Region, thirty-seven (37) are fatalities.
He further maintained that out of the 24 fatal cases recorded for Kenema District, 18 are Motorcycle and 6 Motor vehicle which is still alarming within a period of six months, he added that after the Kenema Division, the Motema Division in Kono District sits second regarding road accidents.
Sgt. Nyallay further identified some factors that led to these deaths, he elaborated that among the causes are mechanical failure, bad road condition and human error which is the leading factor for the accident cases in the region.
“In traffic unit we look into these categories: slight/minor injuries, seriously/fatal injuries, within a year we contributed to the national revenue of the state when we charge people with traffic offences to court, after conviction they bring their fine pay slip to us for record purposes”,Sgt Richard Nyallay stated.
He said in the city of Kenema as accident cases increases they have mounted a CRASH CHECK POINT so that this prone accident area riders and drivers will be checked for limiting of their speeds.
“The Divisional Traffic Officer ASP Moijue and team has placed inspector Sahr and inspector Yaraba to monitor drivers who are in the habit of random horning and using unprescribed Lights. We have warned all drivers and riders during our divisional sensitization exercise and meetings for them to comply with the traffic regulations and anyone found wanting will be charged to court”, Sgt. Richard Nyallay stated.
Speaking in the area of Zebra crossing points he said drivers as well as riders mostly cannot stop at Zebra crossing points.
“Those Zebra crossing points are there to make sure that riders and drivers minimize their speeds and allow pedestrians to cross. The pedestrians too should ensure that they cross quickly when an officer gives the signal to do so but again the people at times do not adhere but we are doing our best”, Sgt. Nyallay maintained.
We are warning drivers and especially riders to avoid automatic ‘U turn’ which has caused a lot of accident cases in the traffic unit.