SLRSA, Ports To Enforce Road Safety Regulations on Haulage Vehicles
The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority in partnership with the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbour Authority on Monday 11th May 2026, held a safety enforcement meeting in response to the recent devastating road accident at Rokel in the eastern part of Freetown.
In a joint press release, the authorities expressed grave concerns over the unworthiness of some haulage vehicles especially those carrying containers and goods from the ports.
There has been several concerns from the public regarding the non-regulations of vehicles and drivers within the industry.
According to the release, stakeholders including the Ministry of Transport and Aviation have had a high-level discussion as to the enforcement of road safety policies.
“While existing regulations governing haulage operations are in place and are routinely monitored by both agencies and the Ministry, it has become evident that operational lapses and enforcement gaps continue to occur. These slippages unfortunately, have resulted in catastrophic consequences, as recently witnessed. This underscores the urgent need to tighten enforcement and introduce additional safeguards to better protect lives and property.
The engagement also reviewed disturbing videos circulating on social media showing container trucks operating in visibly unsafe and unroadworthy conditions, further reinforcing the need for decisive action.
Consequently, as part of renewed efforts to strengthen compliance, close enforcement gaps, and safeguard public safety, both institutions have agreed on the immediate implementation of the following enhanced measures at the Port: Trucks without valid licences, insurance, and required operational documents will be denied access to the Port.
Vehicles without visible registration number plates will not be permitted entry.
SLRSA-issued handheld devices will be deployed at the Queen Elizabeth Il Quay gate to verify vehicle licences in real time.
Trucks with worn-out or unsafe tyres will not be allowed to transport containers.
Trucks without functional container locking mechanisms will be denied cargo operations.
SLPHA and SLRSA will jointly engage the Indigenous Transport Owners Association (ITOA) to ensure strict compliance with these directives”, the release states.
The release urged the SRSA to intensify the removal of all prohibited haulage vehicles (container trucks) from operating on public roads, effectively curtailing unsafe operations.
“All container trucks will be subject to mandatory roadside inspections by SLRSA enforcement teams at designated checkpoints to verify load security, tyre condition, and overall roadworthiness.
Any truck found with improperly secured containers, faulty locking mechanisms, or safety defects will be immediately impounded and sanctioned in accordance with the law.
Container trucks will be restricted to designated routes and operating hours where applicable, and any violations will attract penalties, including suspension of operating licences.
SLRSA will deploy mobile enforcement patrols along major haulage corridors to monitor compliance in real time and respond swiftly to unsafe practices.
Repeat offenders, including transport companies and individual operators, will face escalating sanctions, including blacklisting from Port access and cargo handling operations”.
