It is indeed disheartening to note that automobile accidents have become rampant in the country with one incident follows the other. The rate of accidents on our roads in recent times is indeed worrisome and alarming; a trend that raised the question as to how they can be allowed to occur frequently.

Just a few weeks ago, we wrote in this page very page the fatal accident in Lamin village, that claimed the life of a young girl and left three others seriously injured. Yesterday, it was another serious accident on the busy Banjul-Serrekunda Highway in which some people sustained critical injuries and are now being treated.

We wish to call on all and sundry to exercise care and caution when in the traffic. This is necessary because the road is meant for both vehicles and pedestrians to carry out their everyday transactions.

We know government has constructed good roads all over the country to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. The government has also done a good job in this regard by introducing traffic regulations that disallow driving while talking on a cell phone, making the use of seat belts compulsory, avoiding over speeding and overtaking etc. It is therefore the duty of all drivers to comply with these provisions to ensure safety on our roads.

A critical look at most of the accidents that occurred in the past and even this most recent one shows that they are due to the carelessness and recklessness of our drivers.Many of them over speed when driving, as they are so much in a hurry that they don't mind overtaking other vehicles even at road junctions, regardless of the consequences. Another cause of accidents is the fact that many of the cars and lorries that ply our roads are not roadworthy. Sometimes many of these vehicles have faulty brakes or worn-out tyres and lack side mirrors.

Of course, we are aware that the police, as the law enforcement agency, are exercising their mandate to the maximum.They can be spotted at many points along the highways, executing their duties in ensuring that people comply with traffic rules. But with these accidents, words could not be enough to enjoin them to redouble their efforts and continue to be more vigilant so as to prevent such unnecessary road accidents. They must ensure that any errant driver is banned from the road, and any vehicle that is not road worthy impounded.

We hope that drivers heed our advice so that collectively we can free our roads from unnecessary accidents.