Road Safety Action International (RSAI) has issued an urgent call for a national response to Liberia’s escalating road safety crisis, which has persisted for over three decades, claiming thousands of lives and leaving many with life-altering injuries.
The organization describes the continued loss of lives on the country’s roads as unacceptable and demands that it be treated as a national emergency.
RSAI attributes the dire state of road safety to weak enforcement, lack of political will, and the failure of successive governments to implement sustainable measures.
Instead of adopting long-term solutions, authorities have relied on ad-hoc restrictions, such as limiting motorcycle movements on certain roads.
However, these measures have merely shifted the risks elsewhere rather than addressing the root causes of road crashes.
Recent incidents, including the Totota Inferno, multiple fatal crashes on the Kakata and Buchanan Highways, and the devastating sewer truck accident near Gabriel Tucker Bridge, underscore the urgency of the crisis.
According to RSAI, these tragedies could have been avoided if road safety had been prioritized with greater commitment.
The organization highlights several contributing factors to the rise in road crashes, particularly those involving motorcycles and tricycles.
These include the absence of a clear national road safety framework, reckless driving behaviors, poor road infrastructure, unregulated vehicle imports, and inadequate roadworthiness inspections. Additionally, the lack of an effective post-crash care system has further exacerbated the situation, leading to preventable fatalities.
RSAI also condemns the violent protests by motorcyclists following accidents, stressing that attacking law enforcement officers or resorting to riots does not address the underlying issues.
The group calls on the Merged Federation of Motorcycle and Tricycle Union of Liberia (M-FOMTUL) to promote safer riding practices, including helmet use and appropriate rider attire.
RSAI urges the Liberia National Police (LNP) to enforce traffic laws more effectively, ensuring a systematic and organized approach rather than chaotic or punitive measures. “Motorcyclists caught violating traffic regulations should be given the opportunity to safely park their vehicles rather than creating additional road hazards.”
RSAI is calling for a National Stakeholder Dialogue on Road Safety. This dialogue should bring together government agencies, transport unions, civil society, law enforcement, and international partners to develop a structured and sustainable national strategy.
The proposed strategy should focus on reducing road crashes and fatalities, particularly those involving motorcycles and tricycles.
With fatal road crashes reaching alarming levels and contributing to rising tensions in Liberia, RSAI emphasizes that road safety can no longer be ignored.
The organization continues to engage with local, national, and global leaders to advocate for sustained funding and long-term policy interventions. It insists that urgent action is needed to prevent further loss of innocent lives on Liberia’s roads.