According to a press release from the office of the Inspector General of Police, effective January 1, 2009, the road traffic bill passed by members of the National Assembly in the year 2008 will come into force.

The law which makes it a force for drivers and other passengers to use seat-belts whilst in traffic, and also prohibit the usage of mobile phone while driving, is expected to be enforced countrywide, according to the police.

Anyone found wanting, the release warns, will be dealt with according to law. The release concluded by seeking the cooperation of the general public. The amended version of the road traffic bill was passed in 2008 , and according the police PRO, Inspector Sulayman Secka, punishment range from D1000 to D2000.

In reacting to the development, the Hon. Speaker of National Youth Parliament, Lamin F Bojang, welcomed the news, urging the authorities to leave no stone unturned. He said that the NYP, as an advocacy institution, still feels that the government should ensure by all means the enforcement of the no-use-of-mobile-phones and the use of seat belts in traffic, “in addition to that other issues of traffic concern that we have forwarded to the National Assembly for the government to improve in traffic legislations, which include ban on the use and importation of second hand tyres.

“We now want the government to consider the other part of the demands forwarded to the National Assembly in April 2007. Every accident that occur impact negatively on the life of every young people, either directly or indirectly,” he said.