Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority - Official

19/08/2026

Kennedy Street Market Traders Association Commends SLRSA Executive Director

Kissy Road Freetown
19th August 2026
www.slrsa.gov.sl

The Kennedy Street Market Traders Association has commended the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), James Bagie Bio, for his continued efforts to promote road safety and improve compliance among road users across the country.

The Association on Wednesday, 19 August, 2026 paid a joyful visit to the SLRSA compound, accompanied by a band, Portrait and a banner bearing the image of the Executive Director. The traders expressed their appreciation through dancing and jubilation, describing Bio’s efforts as a significant contribution to improving road safety in Sierra Leone.

Speaking on behalf of the Association, the Public Relations Officer, Alhassan Kamara, said the traders had been closely following the work of the Executive Director and had observed immense positive changes in the country’s road safety situation.

Kamara said the Union had particularly noticed a reduction in road traffic accidents and improvements in the movement and clearance of roads. He added that the visit was also aimed at recognizing and appreciating Mr. Bio's participation in the United Nations General Assembly in July.

Receiving the traders in his office, the Executive Director, Mr. James Bagie Bio expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying he was “short of words” to adequately express his appreciation for the gesture.

He apologized for not meeting with the traders earlier and acknowledged their important role in promoting road safety, noting that traders are among the groups most exposed to road traffic incidents because they frequently use the roads and roadside spaces in the course of buying and selling their goods.

Bio said the country had recorded fewer road traffic accidents during the current rainy season compared to previous periods. He attributed the progress to increased engagement, public sensitisation and enforcement of road safety regulations.

The Executive Director also disclosed that the SLRSA would soon establish a Highway Management Unit at Gberray Junction as part of efforts to improve road safety along the North and Northwest corridors. He said the Authority would work to clear the area of stationary trucks, which he identified as a potential obstruction and danger to road users.

“I am happy that you recognized my work. This has given me more confidence and motivated me to do more,” Bio said.

He further explained that the Authority had been engaging road users and drivers as part of its efforts to reduce road traffic crashes. He specifically encouraged drivers to avoid drinking alcohol or using drugs before driving.

Bio stressed that road safety requires collective responsibility, noting that the SLRSA would continue to work with traders, drivers, pedestrians, transport unions, and other stakeholders to improve safety in the country.

He reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to bringing all stakeholders on board in the national road safety campaign, emphasising that protecting lives on Sierra Leone’s roads remains a shared responsibility.

©️ SLRSA Public Relations and Outreach Unit

11/08/2026

SLRSA Executive Director Meets Nigerian High Commissioner to Strengthen Road Safety Cooperation

Tuesday 11th August 2026
Freetown, Sierra Leone
www.slrsa.gov.sl

The Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), Mr. James Bagie Bio, has held a high-level meeting with the Nigerian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Ambassador Ayo Luther-Ogbomode, at the Nigeria High Commission in Freetown.

The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen cooperation between Sierra Leone and Nigeria in the area of road safety, with particular emphasis on knowledge exchange, institutional collaboration and the adoption of best practices that can contribute to safer roads and reduced road traffic crashes.

The engagement comes against the backdrop of growing road safety cooperation between Sierra Leone and Nigeria. In July 2026, the SLRSA and Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding aimed at deepening collaboration in road safety management, capacity building, research, data-driven interventions, vehicle administration,public sensitization and enforcement.

During the meeting at the Nigeria High Commission, the SLRSA Executive Director expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s continued support and experience in road safety administration, noting the importance of strong partnerships in addressing the shared challenge of road traffic crashes.

ED Bio acknowledged the role played by the Federal Road Safety Corps of Nigeria using their model to transform the Road Safety Corps of SLRSA, he continued to advocate for the Ambassador to use her good office and plead a case on behalf of SLRSA to ensure making roads and road use safer for everyone.

The Nigerian High Commissioner, Ambassador Ayo Luther-Ogbomode, welcomed the engagement and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries, particularly in areas that have a direct impact on the safety and wellbeing of citizens.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to further explore avenues for practical cooperation between the two countries, building on the recent SLRSA–FRSC partnership.

The SLRSA continues to pursue strategic partnerships locally, regionally and internationally as part of its mandate to improve road safety, strengthen institutional capacity and contribute to safer mobility across Sierra Leone.

The engagement at the Nigeria High Commission therefore represents another step towards deepening Sierra Leone–Nigeria cooperation and translating shared road safety commitments into practical action.

©️️SLRSA Public Relations and Outreach Unit.

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

SLRSA on a Road worthiness check at Water Quay

10/08/2026

Vehicle inspections for all Vehicles entering the country.

10/08/2026

‼️Anticipate‼️
As part of measures to mitigate road traffic crashes, the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority(SLRSA) will commence standard vehicle inspections for all vehicles entering the country.

Any vehicle that fails to meet the required safety and road worthiness standards will not be issued a Temporary Vehicle Registration(TVR) and will be banned from being registered in our system until the necessary requirements are met.

This initiative is aimed at ensuring that only road worthy and safety- Compliant vehicles are allowed to operate on Sierra Leone’s roads, thereby contributing to safer roads and reducing road traffic crashes.
Safety bizness na all man bizness

06/08/2026

This morning whilst test driving a Jeep that is on sale, it hit me that my Driver's License had expired. So I went to the SLRSA to have my License renewed. Wow!😃😃 It was a great experience! Quality of service at the Pademba Road SLRSA branch is top-notch. If it is the same service at other branches, we have to truly commend SLRSA for a job well done.

Within 30 minutes of walking in, I had been processed, fingerprinted, NCRA checked, paid my license fee and guess what?

Most unbelievably, I walked out with my brand new License 🪪 - all in just 30 minutes. I'm sharing a snapshot of it with this post.

What makes it all the more amazing is that the branch office was recently gutted by fire which spread from a neighboring premise but the team, led by an efficient Woman♀️👠 named Madiana Wai Kamara, are still delivering such excellent service from temporary structures. That is dedication. They are truly patriotic.

Also, whilst I was seated to patiently wait for my turn to be processed, I was watching a television screen that played scenes of the SLRSA Executive Director James Bagio Bio, at the UN General Assembly last month. Mr. Bio's delivery at 🇺🇳 United Nations was good. He flew our 🇸🇱flag well.

Thanks Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority. Special thanks also to SLRSA Board Chairman Mr. Thomas M. Lahai. I am impressed.👍👍

Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden OOR.
Thursday August 6th 2026.

06/08/2026

Kindly adhere to the dress code requirement for Driver’s License photo capture ‼️
Thank you for your Cooperation in helping us maintain a professional and uniform identification standard.

05/08/2026

SLRSA Engages Stakeholders Ahead of Nationwide Helmet Enforcement Campaign

Wednesday, 5 August 2026
www.slrsa.gov.sl
Kissy Road, Freetown

The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has engaged key road safety stakeholders in preparation for the nationwide enforcement of the mandatory use of standard crash helmets by commercial motorbike riders and passengers.

The consultative meeting, held at the Authority's headquarters on Kissy Road, Freetown, reaffirmed stakeholders' collective commitment to improving compliance with the law and reducing road traffic deaths and serious injuries across Sierra Leone.

The meeting brought together representatives from the Sierra Leone Police, the Bike Riders Union, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Civil Society Movement to discuss strategies for the upcoming enforcement campaign.

Speaking during the engagement, the Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, Mr. James Bagie Bio, said that Sierra Leone has joined the global community in advancing road safety commitments following his participation at the United Nations General Assembly in the United States of America. He noted that the implementation of the Road Safety Charter and related road safety interventions is essential to achieving the objectives of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2030.

Mr. Bio further disclosed that Sierra Leone is among five countries nominated to serve on the steering committee responsible for promoting the implementation of standard helmet use and other road safety measures. He emphasized that these efforts are geared towards reducing road traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 50 percent by 2030.

He commended the Sierra Leone Police for their unwavering support to the Authority and called on all stakeholders to continue partnering with the SLRSA in promoting safer roads across the country.

The Health Promotion Officer of the World Health Organization (WHO), Mr. Fredson Kuti-George, described the meeting as timely, particularly following the Executive Director's engagement at the United Nations General Assembly. He reaffirmed that road safety remains a key priority for the WHO and assured the Authority of the organization's continued support in implementing the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety.

The National Traffic Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Police, DSP Alimamy Koroma, emphasized that the use of crash helmets is already a legal requirement under Section 114 of the Road Traffic Act. He explained that the forthcoming enforcement exercise is intended to prevent deaths and life-threatening head injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes.

He further stressed the need for a nationwide joint public sensitization campaign using multiple communication platforms to educate the public on the importance of wearing standard crash helmets.

The National Coordinator of the Civil Society Movement Sierra Leone, Madam Juliet Anderson, described helmet promotion as a shared responsibility. She disclosed that the organization is currently implementing an Emergency Safer Roads Initiative and expressed its willingness to collaborate with the SLRSA and other stakeholders to advance road safety.

She also underscored the importance of collecting reliable data to monitor progress and measure the impact of ongoing road safety interventions.

Speaking on behalf of the Bike Riders Union, the National President, Mr. Ishmeal Sandy, welcomed the engagement and assured both the Sierra Leone Police and the SLRSA of the Union's full cooperation.

He acknowledged that helmet use is not a new concept among commercial riders but noted that resistance from some passengers and widespread misconceptions about helmet use continue to pose significant challenges.

Chairing the meeting, the Deputy Executive Director of the SLRSA, Mr. Josie Abraham Scott-Manga, observed that many motorcycle crash fatalities result from severe head injuries sustained by riders and passengers who fail to wear protective helmets.

He emphasized that strengthening collaboration among stakeholders and intensifying public awareness would be critical to improving compliance and saving lives.

The meeting reflects the Government of Sierra Leone's broader commitment to enhancing road safety through effective collaboration, sustained public education, and the enforcement of existing traffic laws aimed at reducing motorcycle-related fatalities and injuries.

©️ SLRSA Communications & Outreach
Public Relations and Outreach Unit