RIA Highway Is A Death Trap – Lack of Street Lights Pose Dangers to Busy Airport Route

NOT A WEEK GOES BY without the mention of an accident on the Roberts International Airport Highway.

THE MOST-HIGH-PROFILED IN RECENT in recent months was the sudden death of Mr. Cyril Allen Jr., Deputy Minister of Commerce whose Nissan Pathfinder Jeep collided with a 20-foot container in the late morning hours in March.

ON ANY GIVEN day, motorists are keen to see broken down vehicles parked in the middle of the road or if lucky, sometimes pushed to the side of the road. But with no street lights in place, the dark highway becomes troublesome for motorists who often times resort to running into parked cars or swaying off the road in the pitch of darkness.

ACCIDENTS CONTRIBUTE to a lot of deaths in Liberia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Road Traffic Accidents Deaths in Liberia reached 832 or 2.66% of total deaths in 2014. “The age adjusted Death Rate is 25.48 per 100,000 of population ranks Liberia #31 in the world. Review other causes of death by clicking the links below or choose the full health profile.”

ONLY 6.9 PERCENT of Liberia’s roads are paved in rural areas. It is even more complicated by a six-month rainy season which contributes to rapid deterioration of unimproved roads with many regions are inaccessible even with well-equipped 4×4 vehicles.

EVEN MORE TROUBLING, protocol for key officials in government routinely fly the already small roads with sirens ringing and forcing ordinary motorists off the roads.

IT IS NO secret that years of civil war destroyed infrastructures. But as the country slowly recovers, certain landmarks and lines need to be given special attention.

THE ROAD LEADING to and from the major international airport should not be pitched dark for passengers returning or leaving our shores.

THE PITCH DARK roads pose serious dangers to not only Liberia’s security but to the scores of travelers who come through the city.

IT IS IMPORTANT for those in authority to prioritize the lighting up of the RIA Highway to avoid the recurring nightmare of motorists’ fallen prey to death traps scenarios.

ROAD SAFETY is crucial to the development of any nation. This is why we are calling on government to prioritize this issue before a major tragedy befalls once more.