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| Traffic crash |
Data from the Gambia police records state that on
average, 775 road traffic accidents occur in the Gambia annually over the last
ten years.
According to the data, a cumulative total of 7,750
road traffic accidents were officially reported in the country from year 2000
to 2009, the figure excludes unreported cases. Of the officially reported
cases, 618 are fatal ones in which many people lost their dear lives.
According to the data, on average, about 68 people have
been losing their lives in road accidents annually over the last 10 years. The police records also state that about 168
people sustain serious injuries due to road traffic accidents annually.
According to the police data, majority of the road
traffic accidents in The Gambia are due to irresponsible, dangerous and
careless driving; exceeding speed limit; inefficient braking system; driving
motor vehicles not conform to legal requirement; pedestrian careless crossing
of road; and driving under the influence
of alcohol.
Momodou Gassama of the World Health Organization
country office in The Gambia, and a road traffic accident expert, says 95% of
all road traffic crashes are preventable.
“Drinking and driving increases the risk of a crash,
which could result to death or serious injury,” Mr. Gassama said.
