By Hassan Osman Kargbo
In a troubling trend that threatens public safety and undermines road discipline, many citizens across Sierra Leone particularly in the capital city, Freetown, are routinely disregarding road signs and traffic lights. This behaviour, rapidly becoming normalized, is raising serious concerns about road safety and the effectiveness of traffic regulation in the country.
While road signs and traffic signals are essential components of any modern traffic management system, ensuring orderly movement and minimizing accidents, their importance is increasingly overlooked by Sierra Leonean drivers and riders. The issue is especially pronounced at night, when traffic enforcement is often minimal or entirely absent.
According to observations and feedback from concerned residents, the situation is deteriorating, with road users blatantly ignoring even the most basic traffic rules. At several busy junctions in Freetown — such as Congo Cross, Lumley Roundabout, and Wilkinson Road — vehicles can often be seen running red lights, weaving through oncoming traffic, or parking in prohibited areas, creating confusion and congestion.
“It’s like everyone does whatever, especially at night. The traffic lights are there, but no one obeys them,” said Mariama Kamara, a commercial driver in central Freetown. “There are hardly any traffic officers after 8 PM, and many drivers take advantage of that.”
This growing indiscipline has become a source of frustration for law-abiding citizens and traffic authorities alike. The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), the agency responsible for enforcing road safety laws has struggled with limited resources and personnel. Although they conduct regular traffic campaigns and outreach programs, the impact appears to be minimal in curbing this widespread disregard for road rules.
Road signs, which include speed limits, pedestrian crossings, and directional guidance, are routinely ignored or misunderstood by both commercial and private drivers. In many cases, signs are faded, vandalized, or poorly placed, adding to the confusion and non-compliance. The end result is a chaotic driving culture that jeopardizes the safety of everyone on the road.
“The role of road signs and traffic lights cannot be overstated. They are the backbone of traffic flow and public safety,” said Joseph Bangura, a civil engineer and transportation analyst. “When they are ignored, it leads to an increase in traffic accidents, delays, and sometimes fatalities.”
Indeed, the correlation between traffic indiscipline and road accidents is clear. According to recent reports from local hospitals and emergency services, there has been a steady rise in traffic-related injuries and deaths, many of which are attributed to reckless driving and the non-observance of road signs and traffic lights.
Experts argue that the problem is not just infrastructural but deeply cultural. In contrast to countries in the Western world where strict traffic enforcement and public compliance are the norm, Sierra Leone still battles with a mind-set that sees traffic laws as optional. This cultural gap in traffic discipline highlights the need for not only better enforcement but also long-term educational campaigns aimed at instilling respect for traffic laws from a young age.
“We must take road safety education seriously — in schools, in communities, and through media campaigns,” said Fatmata Jalloh, a road safety advocate. “If we do not change the way people think about traffic laws, we will continue to see lives lost on our roads.”
To address the issue, stakeholders are calling on the government and the SLRSA to intensify enforcement efforts, especially during night-time hours, and to invest in smart traffic management systems that can operate autonomously and detect violations in real-time.
Additionally, civic education must be prioritized to ensure that every road user — from drivers and riders to pedestrians — understands the importance of traffic laws and the consequences of ignoring them.
As Sierra Leone continues to urbanize and motor vehicle usage rises, the country cannot afford to treat traffic safety as an afterthought. A collective effort from the public, authorities, and policymakers is urgently needed to restore order to the roads and prevent further loss of life.
“Road safety is not a luxury; it’s a necessity,” Jalloh added. “If we don’t take action now, the consequences will be devastating for generations to come.”
