By: Aminata Sesay
In a decisive move to tackle the alarming rise in road accidents, the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has officially launched a Highway Management Unit at its Mile 91 office in Tonkolili District.
The initiative, spearheaded by SLRSA Executive Director James Bio, aims to enhance road safety and strengthen emergency response mechanisms along the Mile 91 highway corridor an area identified as one of the most accident-prone in the country.
According to Bio, the high volume of crashes along this critical route has prompted urgent government action. “Road crashes have claimed too many lives in this country, especially along this corridor,” he stated. “We are taking proactive steps to remove abandoned and broken-down vehicles and ensure safer travel for all road users.”
To support the new unit’s operations, SLRSA handed over essential emergency response equipment including an ambulance, utility vehicle, and emergency motorcycle to local stakeholders at the Mile 91 office. This marks the beginning of a broader decentralization strategy aimed at empowering local authorities to respond swiftly and effectively to road emergencies.
Augustine Kaitongi, SLRSA’s Director of Safety and Enforcement, explained that the decision to start with Mile 91 was strategic, due to its high accident frequency. He also highlighted the authority’s collaboration with medical teams and law enforcement agencies to establish a coordinated and efficient safety network.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Albert Kamara welcomed the intervention, describing it as a timely boost to the police’s traffic monitoring capacity. “This will enhance our ability to enforce road safety standards and monitor driver behavior,” he said, referencing a recent accident that claimed 13 lives as a painful reminder of the urgent need for action.
Ibrahim Mansaray, a Community Health Officer, echoed similar sentiments. He cited the high number of road accidents recorded in late 2024 and early 2025, calling the intervention “life-saving.”
SLRSA has announced plans to replicate the Highway Management Unit model in other high-risk areas, including Gbendembu-Gbarray Junction, Masiaka, Lunsar, and Makeni.
Representatives of motor drivers’ unions and bike riders’ associations expressed their appreciation, describing the initiative as a long-overdue step toward addressing public concerns over road safety and emergency response.
The launch of this unit signals a renewed national commitment to reducing road traffic deaths and improving safety standards on Sierra Leone’s highways.