Liberia Launches Major Road Safety Training Initiative for Commercial Drivers

Strategic Insights -

A major day-long training initiative has been announced by the Road Safety Secretariat at the Ministry of Transport in Liberia, aimed at commercial drivers in Montserrado County. The training, sponsored by the National Road Fund of Liberia and expected to reach hundreds of drivers, will focus on key safety principles such as understanding and interpreting road signs, respect for pedestrian crosswalks, and reducing speed near markets and schools. This targeted intervention comes as road accidents have become one of the leading causes of injury and death in Liberia, with Monrovia being the epicenter of some of the most frequent and devastating incidents.

Key Takeaways:

  • The training will target hundreds of commercial drivers in Montserrado County, focusing on key safety principles such as understanding and interpreting road signs, respect for pedestrian crosswalks, and reducing speed near markets and schools.
  • The initiative is sponsored by the National Road Fund of Liberia and is expected to involve seasoned road safety experts from the Ministry of Transport and traffic professionals from the Liberia National Police's (LNP) Traffic Division.
  • The training will also cover safe overtaking and lane discipline, the use of seatbelts and helmet protection, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, mobile phone use while driving, and emergency response tips and accident reporting.
  • The Ministry of Transport has taken note of concerns from commercial drivers about the duration of the training and may consider expanding it into quarterly sessions across all counties with the support of other transport sector stakeholders.
  • The National Road Fund of Liberia has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring road funds are used not just for infrastructure but also for public safety education and driver development, aligning with broader government efforts to reduce fatalities and injuries under the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030.

Statistics:

  • Over 1,700 road crashes were recorded nationwide in 2024, according to a report from the Liberia National Police, with the highest numbers occurring in urban Montserrado.
  • The training aims to reach hundreds of commercial drivers in Montserrado County.
  • The National Road Fund of Liberia has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that prioritize public safety education and driver development.

Sources:

  • "Liberia: Road Safety Training for Commercial Drivers Announced" - The New Republic Liberia (2025)
  • "Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030" - World Health Organization