James T. Brooks
Monrovia, Liberia — January 2026 — New data released by the Liberia National Police reveals a grim toll on the nation’s highways, with at least 236 people killed in road crashes over the past year. Information Minister Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, speaking at the government’s regular press briefing on Thursday, issued a stern warning that growing recklessness—particularly among commercial motorcyclists and tricycle operators—is turning the country’s roads into a deadly threat for passengers and pedestrians alike.
According to police statistics, Liberia recorded a total of 1,564 road traffic accidents in 2025, leaving 992 people injured in addition to the fatalities. Minister Piah described the current level of negligence as alarming, noting that the dangerous behavior spans all vehicle categories, from standard motor vehicles to tricycles, locally known as “kekes,” and motorcycles, referred to as “pen-pens.”
The data highlights a significant gender disparity in these fatalities, with 206 male deaths compared to 30 female deaths. The Minister attributed this gap largely to the high number of men operating commercial motorcycles and tricycles. He emphasized that this reckless conduct often claims the lives of innocent bystanders who have no control over the drivers’ actions, stating that the consequences of such negligence frequently impact passersby who are severely wounded or killed.
Minister Piah also expressed deep concern over a rising trend in hit-and-run incidents, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours. He condemned drivers who abandon victims at the scene as “unthinkable,” arguing that fleeing often prevents victims from receiving life-saving medical care and significantly increases the risk of death.
In response to the crisis, the Minister announced that the government, through the Liberia National Police, is intensifying enforcement efforts to curb the wave of accidents. While acknowledging that crashes cannot be entirely eliminated, he stressed that the police are taking decisive actions to ensure that those who continue to act recklessly and injure others are cross-checked and punished.
To address these challenges, the government is prioritizing increased patrols to monitor traffic flow and identify reckless operators. Furthermore, traffic violators will now face immediate arrest and prosecution. The Minister urged motorists, commercial tricycle operators, and motorcyclists to obey traffic laws and drive responsibly, concluding that reducing road deaths will require a combination of rigorous law enforcement and a fundamental shift in public discipline.
Comments are closed.