MONROVIA – U.S.-based Liberian activist Norris Johnson has called on the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to urgently strengthen road safety measures following the increasing number of fatal crashes involving heavy-duty trucks, particularly along the ELWA–RIA Highway.
In a public statement, Johnson described the recurring accidents as a national public safety emergency, attributing them to weak enforcement of traffic laws, inadequate regulation, and poor oversight of commercial transportation.
He questioned whether commercial truck drivers are receiving proper training before obtaining licenses, whether authorities are enforcing traffic laws consistently, and whether trucking companies are being held accountable for employing unqualified drivers. He also called for regular mechanical inspections of heavy-duty trucks and stricter action against speeding, reckless driving, distracted driving, and overloading.
Johnson urged the government to introduce a comprehensive commercial road safety initiative, including mandatory certification and periodic license renewal for truck drivers, increased highway patrols, and stronger penalties for traffic violations.
He further recommended nationwide road safety awareness campaigns targeting commercial drivers, transport unions, trucking companies, schools, and the public to promote a culture of responsible driving.
Describing the ELWA–RIA Highway as Liberia’s gateway to its international airport, Johnson said it should symbolize safety and national progress rather than tragedy, urging the Boakai administration to act before more lives are lost.
