Africa-Press – Gambia. The Gambia Government has announced plans to take firm action against the growing trend of car drifting by young people, which has led to fatalities, serious injuries, and destruction of property on public roads and open spaces.
Speaking on a local radio show, Minister of Information Dr. Ismail Ceesay said the government is prioritizing public safety and is currently working on modernizing the country’s legal framework to address the issue more effectively.
“When these young kids get these cars and they drift, it causes accidents. Government will take a very tough stance against this,” Dr. Ceesay stated.
However, he acknowledged that the current legal system presents limitations. Under the existing Motor Traffic Act, reckless driving offenses—including car drifting—only attract fines of D1,000 to D2,000. “The laws are not there,” the minister admitted, noting that penalties under the act are outdated and insufficient.
“So we are working on the instruments as well to make sure that we create legal instruments that are fit for the 21st century but that are also fit for the current demographic, cultural, political, and economic context of this country,” he said.
Dr. Ceesay added that the continued use of obsolete legislation has contributed to the problem, allowing such dangerous behaviors to go largely unchecked.
Meanwhile, some young drifters have taken to social media to defend the activity, using hashtags like #LegalizeDriftinGambia and #DriftIsNotACrime to demand recognition of drifting as a legitimate sport or cultural expression.
The government’s apparent reluctance to crack down on drifters has sparked public criticism, with many alleging that the individuals involved are children of wealthy Gambians and government officials—raising concerns about selective enforcement and impunity.
The Minister did not directly address these claims, but his remarks signal a shift toward stricter enforcement and legal reform aimed at curbing the growing menace.
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