In his statement, the MP alluded that the country is witnessing more deaths and serious injuries due to accidents on our highways, more so the Trans-Gambia highway (South Bank Road).
“Almost a week ago we witnessed two fatal accidents which claimed almost nine lives, serious injuries and trauma,” he pointed out, asking: “Where does the fault lie or what are the factors responsible for the high rate of accidents?”
He added that according to health Minister Samateh, The Gambia “happens to have higher rate of deaths” due to accidents and injuries than many other countries including the developed world.
He also quoted Minister Samateh as having said likewise during a validation meeting on the National Trauma and Injury Plan held at Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara Conference Center on 27 February 2023.
Nobody is immune to trauma and injury, he said, highlighting some key statistics on injuries and accidents. “For a period of five years in 2017, about 5,000 trauma cases were reported every year and that increased to 9,000 in 2021, which is almost twice as much as previous years,” Hon. Saho recounted.
Hon Saho’s call corroborated the statement of Lamin King Colley, the commissioner of police responsible for traffic, who was quoted in a recent newspaper report as having said: "So far, 115 deaths caused by road traffic accident have been recorded from January to November 2023.”
The Central Baddibu NAM further said: “We may all be victims of road traffic accidents either directly or indirectly. We lost loved ones and close friends who could be useful to the socio- economic development of our society.
“We must act now as we are the hope of the nation to pass strong resolutions, or revisit the Act or formulate new policies on road accidents.”
Giving her submission, Member for Banjul South, Hon Fatou Touma Njie, said that since the opening of the Bertil Harding highway, The Gambia has registered an increase in the number of deadly accidents in the country.
“The Assembly should come up with recommendations to have more streetlights because the new streetlights installed in these new roads are dim in the nights thus they do not give clear vision.”
She added that they should also recommend the use of cameras in the streets so they could capture what is happening in the traffic. “This will not only curb accidents but also save the lives of citizens,” she said, adding: “We should try to introduce MOTs to factor the road worthiness of vehicles that are running in the streets, especially cars that have lived for over 10 years.”
For his part, Member for Brikama South, Hon Lamin J. Sanneh, suggested they revisit and review the traffic Act “and punish anyone found wanting”.
He also said they should Increase speed bumps in strategic areas to control over-speeding.
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