By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
Across our roads every day, lives are placed in danger not only by speeding vehicles or poor road conditions, but by something far more avoidable: drivers using their mobile phones while driving.
What may seem like a harmless act answering a call, replying to a message, or scrolling through social media can turn into a deadly distraction within seconds. In those brief moments when a driver’s attention shifts from the road to a phone screen, accidents happen, families are shattered, and children are left without parents.
Distraction during driving has increasingly become a silent killer on our roads. Drivers and their phones are leaving many children orphaned and many families grieving the loss of their loved ones. Every accident caused by phone use behind the wheel represents more than a statistic; it represents a life that will never return home.
In Sierra Leone, road accidents continue to claim lives at an alarming rate. While several factors contribute to these tragedies, driver negligence remains one of the most common causes. Among the various forms of negligence, mobile phone use while driving stands out as one of the most dangerous.
When a driver is focused on a phone call or reading a text message, their ability to react quickly to sudden changes on the road is significantly reduced. A pedestrian crossing unexpectedly, a motorbike emerging from a corner, or a vehicle stopping suddenly ahead requires immediate attention. A distracted driver may fail to respond in time, and the consequences can be fatal.
Sadly, many of these accidents are preventable. Unlike mechanical failure or unpredictable weather conditions, the decision to use a phone while driving is a choice. It is a conscious act that puts not only the driver at risk but also passengers, pedestrians, and other road users.
The ripple effects of such accidents extend far beyond the crash site. A child who loses a parent in a road accident may grow up without the emotional and financial support they desperately need. A family that loses its breadwinner may struggle for years to rebuild their lives. Communities lose productive citizens whose contributions could have helped shape the nation’s future.
In many cases, the driver responsible for the accident must also live with the heavy burden of guilt for the rest of their life. A simple decision to answer a phone call can result in a tragedy that no apology can undo.
Authorities have a role to play in addressing this issue. Stronger enforcement of traffic laws against phone use while driving is essential. Road safety campaigns should also continue to educate drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. However, laws and awareness campaigns alone will not solve the problem unless drivers themselves choose to act responsibly.
Every driver must recognize that no phone call or message is more important than a human life. If a call must be answered, the safest option is to pull over and stop the vehicle before using the phone. This small act of patience can prevent irreversible tragedy.
Passengers also have a responsibility. If you are in a vehicle and the driver is using a phone while driving, speak up. Encouraging safe behavior can help save lives.
Our roads should not be places where families lose their loved ones because of avoidable distractions. Every life lost to reckless driving is a painful reminder that safety must always come first.
As a society, we must cultivate a culture of responsibility on our roads. Drivers must understand that when they take the wheel, they are not only responsible for themselves but also for the lives of everyone around them.
A phone can wait. A life cannot.
If we truly value human life, then the message must be clear: when you drive, put the phone away and keep your eyes on the road.
Because one moment of distraction can create a lifetime of sorrow.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 18th March 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
