Liberia: Citizens Blame Weak Enforcement of Traffic Laws for Rising Accidents, Deaths; Police Admit Lapses, Promise Reforms - FrontPageAfrica

Monrovia – Liberia is grappling with a surge in road accidents and fatalities, with citizens blaming weak enforcement of traffic laws while police authorities acknowledge gaps and promise reforms. 

By Jeheim T. Tumu, Jaheim.tumu@frontpageafricaonline.com

According to the Liberia National Police, 478 traffic accidents were recorded in the first three months of 2026, leaving 71 people dead and 309 injured. March alone accounted for 186 crashes—the highest monthly total of the quarter. Car-to-car collisions and motorcycle-related accidents made up nearly 70 percent of all incidents, with Montserrado County recording the highest number at 279.

While the LNP says it remains committed to improving road safety, many citizens argue that poor enforcement, corruption, and weak oversight are the real drivers behind the rising death toll.

“I really respect the police. I must admit that they have made some progress. But I blame them 90 percent for the accident rate and the driver 10 percent,” said Joseph Walker, Jr., a resident of Cooper Farm in Louisiana Township.

“They know what to do, but are not doing it. There are so many checkpoints. And in most instances, they allow traffic violators to go with impunity once they receive a bribe. The Police IG has caught them in the act. The government issued licenses without verifying if recipients are trained drivers. Highway patrol set up checkpoints to collect money instead of patrolling to ensure safety, such as removing breakdown vehicles that cause death traps. And in most instances, this leads to accidents and sometimes deaths.”

Mr. Walker criticized the Liberian National Police’s quarterly accident report, arguing that only 10% of road accidents are due to driver error, while 90% are the LNP’s fault. He highlighted the lack of proper driver training, mental health checks, and effective highway patrols. Walker emphasized the need for the LNP to improve its practices, including conducting thorough background checks and ensuring proper driver qualifications. He also suggested establishing mental health counseling sessions at driver training institutions to address the psychosocial issues affecting drivers. Walker called for a collaborative effort between the LNP, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Health to enhance road safety.

He called on the Ministry of Health and transport licensing institutions to implement a brief mental-health screening and counseling requirement at every driver training institution before issuing driver lessons or licenses, to reduce risky driver behavior (as recommended during the interview.

He also called for coordination between the Liberia National Police, the transport ministry, and the driving-licensing authority (LMTI) to standardize vetting and qualification procedures for driver schools and licensing to prevent unvetted issuance of driver authorizations.

He called for reform and improvement of highway patrol operations, including regular active patrolling along highways (not static checkpoints) and clearer oversight to prevent corruption and ensure rapid response to breakdowns and high-risk road conditions.

Similar concerns were echoed by Siafa Kenneh, chairman of the National Revolutionary Movement of Liberia, who described the situation as “very troubling.”

“The police are not being effective in implementing safety regulations,” Kenneh said. He pointed to weak enforcement of crosswalk rules and a lack of action against drunk driving, warning that the country’s growing population could worsen the crisis if urgent steps are not taken.

Kenneh also criticized what he described as poor oversight within the police, alleging that some officers prioritize personal gain over public safety. He called for stronger supervision, active highway patrols instead of static checkpoints, and increased public awareness campaigns.

Students at the University of Liberia shared similar frustrations. Morrison Fayiah attributed many accidents to reckless driving and poor judgment on the roads.

“In Liberia, most accidents happen because of recklessness—drivers overtaking dangerously or insisting on their right of way,” Fayiah said. “Sometimes you have to waive your rights to avoid accidents.”

He also questioned whether many drivers receive proper training and blamed authorities for allowing unroadworthy vehicles to operate.

Motorcyclists, who are heavily represented in accident statistics, say enforcement actions sometimes contribute to the danger. Rider Fedisco Gaye alleged that abrupt police interventions in so-called “no-go zones” have led to accidents.

“Sometimes police actions themselves cause accidents,” Gaye said, recounting incidents where checkpoints were suddenly mounted in front of riders, leading to crashes.

LNP’s Response

Despite the criticism, the LNP has acknowledged challenges in enforcement and driver training.

In a response to FrontPage Africa, Deputy Police Commissioner for Public Affairs Sam K. Collins said the police are taking the concerns seriously and are working to address them.

“While enforcement remains a critical component of our strategy, we have observed that a significant number of vehicle operators lack proper training in the rules of the road, despite having driver’s licenses. This gap presents a major challenge to road safety efforts,” Collins said.

He disclosed that the LNP has launched a targeted program to train instructors from accredited driving schools to improve driver education nationwide. Upon completion, the police will require all license applicants to present certification from recognized institutions before undergoing testing.

“We believe that improving the quality of driver education will contribute significantly to reducing road traffic accidents nationwide,” Collins added.

As the debate intensifies, experts say addressing Liberia’s road safety crisis will require a multi-pronged approach—stronger enforcement of traffic laws, better driver training, stricter vehicle inspections, and sustained public awareness.

For now, citizens and authorities appear to agree on one point: urgent action is needed to curb the rising toll of accidents and save lives.