Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Brusubi Magistrates’ Court has remanded four young men in custody after they were arrested by the Brufut Anti-Crime Unit for engaging in a dangerous car drifting incident along the Jabang Highway on Sunday, August 10, 2025. The police also seized six vehicles during the operation that led to their arrest.
The accused, Momodou Martin Sanyang, Sering Mass Gaye, Muhammed Bah, and Ismaila Faal, appeared before Magistrate Isatou Jallow on Monday, each charged with dangerous driving in violation of Section 49 of the Motor Traffic Act.
In addition, Sering Mass Gaye faces a separate charge of Unlicensed Driving under Section 36, while Ismaila Faal was also charged with unauthorized use of Tinted Glass, contrary to Section 25C (1) of the Act.
All four pleaded not guilty. The prosecution, citing public safety concerns and the potential risk of repeat offenses, objected to bail. Magistrate Jallow upheld the objection and ordered that the men be remanded pending the next hearing, scheduled for Monday, August 18, 2025, when the prosecution will call its witnesses.
A Growing Concern as Police Reiterate Warning
Car drifting, a practice involving high-speed, controlled skids often performed for thrill or social media content, has been a rising concern for the general public in recent years, as roads in The Gambia are congested, poorly maintained, and unreliable due to the presence of various road users, livestock, and street vendors.
However, incidents of car drifting have become frequent in Brusubi, Sukuta, and the Senegambia area and have led to several arrests, with police warning that such stunts endanger not only the drivers but also pedestrians and other motorists.
In one 2024 case, a driver lost control during a drift near the Westfield junction, colliding with a taxi and leaving three people injured. Authorities have since stepped up patrols and deployed undercover officers to hotspots to deter the activity.
In a statement following Sunday’s arrests, the Gambia Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to strict enforcement of traffic laws.
“Dangerous driving, including drifting, is not entertainment; it’s a reckless act that puts lives at risk,” the statement read. “Motorists are urged to drive responsibly and observe all road safety regulations.”
The GPF advises parents and guardians to refrain from giving vehicles to minors or unlicensed drivers and reminds the public not to take the law into their own hands. “Two wrongs do not make a right,” the police said in a statement as they also called on the public to report incidents of reckless driving and pledged to continue targeted operations to curb the practice.
If convicted, the accused could face heavy fines, suspension of driving licenses, or custodial sentences, depending on the severity of the offense and any prior convictions.
