Tragic Accident Leaves 2 Dead -Citizens Urge Gov’t’s Action On Road Safety

By Precious D. Freeman
A tragic accident on the Japan Freeway yesterday, March 19, 2025, has claimed the lives of two motorcycle riders, igniting a wave of grief among Liberians who are calling on the government to take immediate action to address the alarming rate of road accidents in the country.
The incident occurred by 11:00 a.m., when the two riders, who are yet to be identified by the Inquirer Newspaper, collided with a speeding truck while navigating a busy stretch of the freeway.
Eyewitnesses reported that the motorcycle was travelling at a normal speed while leaving Redlight for Central Monrovia; however, it was later struck by a high-speed truck that lost control and veered into the opposite lane, resulting in the accident.
The two riders were pronounced dead at the scene, leaving their families and friends in shock and mourning. Although bystanders rushed to assist, it was unfortunately too late.
The Japan Freeway, a major thoroughfare connecting Monrovia to other parts of the country, has experienced numerous accidents recently, raising concerns about road safety and the need for improved infrastructure.
Local residents who came to the scene have expressed their frustration over the government’s failure to implement effective measures to prevent such tragedies.
Grace Tamba, a bystander said, “I can’t believe this has happened again. Every week, we hear about accidents on this road. It’s like our lives don’t matter again. We need better roads, better signage, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws.”
Also, many motorcycle riders, who often rely on their bikes for transportation, face heightened risks due to the chaotic driving conditions and the prevalence of larger vehicles on the road.
The grieving citizens are also questioning the government’s commitment to following through on its promises, and said, “We’ve heard and tired seeing our loved one being killed in cold blood by these big trucks.”
“What we need now is action, not words anymore. The government must allocate funds for road repairs, install traffic lights, and educate drivers about safe practices, as well as ban trucks from plying major routes during the day’s hour,” Joseph Cooper noted.
Meanwhile, the accident comes the day following a survey conducted by the Liberia National Police (LNP), which shows that motorcyclists and kerker(tricycle) riders are the most victims of accidents in Liberia.
Appearing on the T-Max 50-50 phone-in show recently, Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman wondered, “We look around—what’s the number one killer? Is it a crime? No, it’s accidents. And who are the most frequent victims?”
Coleman also explained that this information led the police authorities to impose restricted zones in central Monrovia, and noted, “Motorcyclists and kerker riders. Where do most of these accidents happen? Right in the very area, we are working to restrict for the safety of our people.”
He further praised Mulbah Morlu, Executive Director of the Solidarity and Trust for A New Day, for taking legal action against the government’s motorcycle restrictions by filing a case with the Supreme Court.
IG Coleman assured that if the Supreme Court rules against the government on the restriction, the measure will be immediately lifted, and added that it is important for Liberians to test the Judiciary on matters they are dissatisfied with, rather than taking the law into their own hands.