Road Safety Is Everyone’s Business

-LNP, Partners Observe Complete Day Long Safe Streets Festival

By Mark N. Mengonfia

The interception of Broad and Mechlin Streets in Monrovia was the center of festivities over the weekend when the Liberia National Police (LNP) and partners gathered road users explained to them the importance of road safety.

The daylong event commenced with a running race competition in different categories including, children, youth, young adults and adults of both sexes.

Speaking at the start of the well-attended program, LNP spokesperson, Moses Carter informed the gathering that the program was intended to raise awareness among inhabitants of Liberia relating to the wrongful usages of road.

The LNP spokesperson in his statement informed the gathering that many Liberians are yet to observe safety rules placed on the road for their own safety.

He said “based on the increase in road accidents, the LNP and partners see the need to do this awareness.”

When he was asked about the record of number of road accidents in Liberia beginning from January to December 2019, Carter said “I will not be specific because everyday people make accidents”

The LNP spokesperson outlined that the Millennium Challenge Account, World Bank, Swedish, EU, German Embassies, the OMEGA Insurance among others were very instrumental in organizing the safety awareness program in Monrovia.

He said, “the vision of the Liberia National Police is to reduce the traffic deaths by half by the end of 2020”.

He said that “LNP sees itself to be responsible to educate our citizens about road rules and regulations”.

As part of the massages they were making awareness with were “make sure car stops before crossing, always walk facing incoming vehicles, drive on the right lane, do not make call while driving, do not sit outside of the vehicle and overload”.

Other massages promulgated during the event were “don’t drink alcohol and drive, use your mirrors and signal, don’t walk or stand in the middle of the road at night, old and worn out tires burst, check your tires frequently.

When he took to the stage, one of Liberian musicians who goes by the stage name “Friday The Cell phone man” rocked the stage with some of his old and new songs.

As he let the crowd goes wide, he told them to always be observance of how they walk on the road.

After his performance, it was not too long when another popular Liberian musician who goes by the stage name “Mr. Parbai” took to the stage providing safety messages as well.

Mr. Parbai encouraged Liberians and road users to always be keen to traffic regulations and signs for their own benefits.

He as well called on vehicle drivers to be careful as they transport from one point to the other.

The event was interspaced with lots of Liberian comedians.

LIB Jalloh and Mr. Bookman, Angel Michael among others made the day when they brought forth some of their best comedies interspacing it with safety messages.

The event was attended by ambassadors accredited near Liberia, government officials, motorcyclists, taxi drivers among others.

Also speaking, the president of motorcyclists and tricycle union of Liberia, John Kenyon thanked the LNP and partners for the initiation and called on his fellow motorcyclists and tricycle riders to always keep safe; adding that the life they save could be that of their relatives or someone close to them.

He recounted that to some level now; deaths caused by motorbike accidents have reduced based on workshops and training they have attended and conducted through the help of the Liberia National Police. TNR