The increase in road accident in our roads nowadays is a cause for concern for the National Youth Parliament (NYP), resulting in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Youth Commission of The Gambia Red Cross Society (GRCS) to combat the menace.
The signing ceremony held at the KMC chambers witnessed commitment manifested by the two parties in their bid to respond to the devastating effects of road accidents.
Speaking at the occasion, Honourable Maimuna Sarr, the Speaker of the NYP lamented that out of the numerous road accidents that occur on the roads young people are normally the victims. She expressed her concern with the number of tragic road accidents in the country.
Some of these accidents, she said could have been prevented if the necessary measures were put in place.
WHO Representative, Dr. Thomas Sukwa revealed that there is an estimated 1.2 million people who die unnecessarily each year globally, because of preventable road traffic crashes. This, he said, must be stopped, describing the signing ceremony as a step in the right direction.
Ousainou Jallow, Youth Director of the National Youth Commission GRCS said that behaviour of road users is the main cause of road crashes and road crash injury and death.
To him, the following are factors responsible for road accidents: the failure to wear seat belt, the failure to wear crass helmets, driving at excessive or unsuitable speed and driving under the influence of alcohol.
For his part, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Works, Construction and Infrastructure, Mr. Bakary Humma said that this kind of partnership can create the much- needed awareness on road safety.
The devastating effects of road accident, he said, are many and include: lost of lives, injuries, damage to properties and other properties, among others.
