The Gambia has launched its first locally authored driving theory textbook, Driving Theory, to improve driver education and cut road crashes and fatalities.
The book was launched on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre in Bijilo by FS Driving School and Front Star Company. The event brought together government officials, lawmakers, road safety experts, security officials, driving instructors, learners and media.
The launch comes amid rising concern over road crashes as the country invests heavily in road infrastructure.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Executive Officer of Frontstar Driving School Modou Badjie said the initiative was born out of the need to prevent crashes and protect lives through better driver education.
He said when the school was established in 2020, the vision was not just to teach people how to operate vehicles, but to instill road safety discipline, traffic regulations and responsibility.
“As we continue to improve our road infrastructure, we must also promote responsible driving, respect for traffic regulations and a strong culture of road safety,” Badjie said.
He disclosed that Frontstar has trained more than 4,000 drivers across the country through its Westfield headquarters and branches in Brikama, Farafenni, Sukuta, Soma and Basse.
He described the textbook as more than an educational resource – a commitment to protecting human life.
Road safety expert Momodou Gassama described it as a significant contribution to national efforts to save lives. He said road safety is a shared responsibility.
Citing the WHO 2023 report, Gassama said The Gambia recorded an estimated 22 road deaths per 100,000 people, above the African regional average of 19.4. Road crashes are preventable, he said, calling for a shift in attitudes.
“Think safety and act safety,” he said, highlighting the book’s central message.
In a statement delivered on his behalf, Minister of Transport, Works and Infrastructure Ebrima Sillah said the textbook is an investment in knowledge, discipline and protection of life.
“A modern road is only as safe as the people who use it,” the statement said.
He said the book covers road signs, traffic regulations, defensive driving, vehicle maintenance and responsible road use, stressing that a driving licence is not just passing a test but accepting responsibility for one’s safety and others’.
National Assembly Member Abdoulie Njai welcomed the initiative as a national resource beyond driving schools. He called for stronger legislation, enforcement and public awareness and to modernise traffic laws.
Njai disclosed that a draft Road Transport Bill is awaiting government consideration before tabling in the National Assembly, alongside the Gambia Road Safety Strategy 2030. He urged authorities to incorporate the textbook into the national education system so children learn road signs early.
Deputy Commissioner of Mobile Traffic of the Gambia Police Force King Colley said reckless driving and poor compliance continue to undermine road safety. He cited more than 200 crashes and 38 fatalities on the Bertil Harding Highway between Sting Corner and Airport Junction in 2024 alone.
The Deputy Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China also commended the government and Frontstar for the initiative.
