MONROVIA — The Liberia National Police on Wednesday began the enforcement of its no-go zone restriction on motorcyclists in Monrovia and its surroundings, following a month-long campaign and dialogue on their current action.
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The early pronouncement of this exercise was initially greeted with mixed reactions from motorcyclists, with some hailing the pronouncement, while others were indignant since most of these motorcyclists were yet to get a proper understanding of how the process would be.
However, the police in one of its many awareness awareness campaigns, informed motorcyclists that in as much as the no-go zone will be enforced, there is leverage for those who will ahead with safety regulations, by insuring their bikes are registered, and they should wear safety footwear, possess two helmets, one for the rider and the other for a single passenger.
According to Police Inspector General Gregory Coleman, once these requirements are met, a rider will have the privilege to ply along the Tubman Boulevard to Monrovia and Freeport route, but with one passenger to a bike.
He also announced in a forum at the SKD Sports Complex on Thursday, May 9, that the motorcyclists will have a 90-day grace period to ride from ELWA Junction to Freeport to enable them address their requirements.
This measure, according to the LNP, is intended to lessen the number of cases reported from motorcycle accidents in the country.
The police noted that its measures are intended to reduce accident risk across the country.
Meanwhile, some taxi drivers were observed on Wednesday, May 15, taking advantage of the situation to exploit commuters by overcharging fares and at the same time overloading vehicles with passengers. Instead of three at the back and one at the front, they are now taking two people at the front and four at the back of their commercial vehicles, which also poses a threat to transporting passenger safely.
Additionally, health experts are afraid that even though the regulation is in good fate, its public health implications are at the same time concerning.
There are concerns that the public health implications of instructing these riders to use a single helmet for several passengers are troubling, considering illnesses that may easily be contracted through body contact or body fluid.
Public Health Research has shown that the usage of one helmet by multiple passengers poses a risk of contracting diseases that are spread from contact with body fluids.
One of the most common of these diseases through contact with the body fluid of the affected person is the Hepatitis B Virus, according to the National Institute of Health.
Another disease easily spread from contact with body fluid (sweat) is Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This is a superbug that can cause hard-to-treat infections in different parts of the body. It is resistant to many of the commonly available antibiotics. It can cause sores and boils on the skin and can even cause infections in the bloodstream, lungs, or urinary tract. It can easily spread through contact and so, one can easily catch it through someone who has it on his skin, Center for Disease Control.
Another is the Marburg virus, or Ravn virus, collectively called marburgviruses, which is shed in oral secretions, urine, and feces.
The virus spreads through contact (such as through broken skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose, or mouth), according to the BC Center for Disease Control.
Therefore, while accidents may be reduced, public health experts are concerned about the greater health risk that the exchange of helmets to the greater population, especially when these motorcycles are used to commute people from one location to another, as well as transporting people from the various border points to other places in the country.
Recent narrative of one of the most contiguous diseases, Ebola and CORONA Virus, shows that these diseases came from across the border and were easily spread through body contact.
Why some are yet to get their requirements, several motorcyclists have already gotten their protective gear including one helmet for themselves and another for various passengers they will transport daily.
It is not yet clear whether these cyclists have health measures to minimize the risks of spreading disease through body fluids.
Therefore, health experts are also recommending that the LNP considers these potential health risks and see the need to implore proper measures to prevent the potential threats that the usage of helmets may pose to commuters.
Besides, the concern raised by public health practitioners, some motorcyclists are irritated by how the no-go zone enforcement began, without providing them with 90 days assured them.
“The IG said he will give us 90 days to run and raise money to register and ensure their bikes, but surprisingly, we saw police on the streets seizing our bikes, Darius Taylor, a motorcyclist told Newsmen, Wednesday, May 15.
He said some of them were forced to park their bikes, because of the situation and resolved to protest against the action, since the 90 days has not yet been explored.
The 90 days are said to be for riders along the Somalia Drive and Paynesville area.
Taylor appealed to the government to give them 90 days to ensure that they raise money to ensure their bikes.
Another motorcycle rider, Richard Kollie, said he was on his way to insure his bike but was stopped by the police not to go, since according to them, they were under a mandate to stop them from plying the street without a helmet.
On day one, several motorcycles have already been impounded by the police for failure to adhere to the regulations.
In another development, Monsterrado County District Number 10 Representative, Yekeh Kolubah, has written a communication to Police Inspector General, Gregory Coleman, requesting a one-month grace period for motorcyclists to better get the requirements to ply in Monrovia.
Representative Kolubah said in a communication: “I am writing to express my concern regarding the recent enforcement of the No-Go-Zone policy for motorcyclists in Monrovia. This abrupt action has caught many riders off guard, as they have not had adequate time to obtain the necessary documents, including insurance and registration.
“Given the sudden nature of this enforcement, I respectfully request that the Liberia National Police grant motorcyclists a one-month grace period to secure the required paperwork. This adjustment period is crucial for a smooth transition and will help maintain peace on the streets of Monrovia.”
He believes that allowing the motorcyclists this grace period would prevent unnecessary conflict, ensure compliance with the law, and avoid potential unrest.
