GIZ Presents Road Safety Study Findings to Ministry of Transport
Photo Credit: Public Affairs
Monrovia: Thursday, June 4, 2015; The German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) has presented to the Ministry of Transport summary of findings of studies relating to Road Safety Research conducted from 2013-2014 with several recommendations for Government’s actions.
Making a power point presentation at the Ministry of Transport on Thursday, June 4, 2015, GIZ’S Policy Implementation Advisor, Miss Ursula Hein said considering the importance attached to road safety measures in the transport sector coupled with the reports of road accidents resulting to the loss of lives, the GIZ conducted the research to help advise Government consistent with the vehicle and traffic laws of Liberia to make informed decisions in the formulation of a National Road Safety Law that would help address road safety issues.
The research study would also assist Government access the existing structures, including policies, programs, support services, causes and factors for increasing number of motor vehicle accidents in Liberia, identify the socio-economic and medical implications of motor vehicle accidents as well as ensure that motor vehicle operators do not disregard the vehicle and traffic laws of Liberia, among others.
The road safety research which was conducted in the 15 Counties of Liberia with the assistance of the Search for Common Grounds and The University of Liberia Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (UL-PIRE) considered both socio-economic and medical basis of road safety which include, Household Survey, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews, Survey of medical records for road traffic victims and interviews with key informants in the health sector respectively. According to the report, 5,931 people responded in the 15 Counties of Liberia. A total of 27 Focus Group Discussions(FGDs)s were held in 8 cities of 8 Counties; of which 9 Focus Group Discussions were for vehicle drivers and motorcyclists each, 4 FGDs for community men and 5 FGDs for community women respectively. The research studies also conducted interviews with heavy duty drivers, traffic magistrate court representatives, traffic police inspectors, Chief of Traffic, Road County Engineers, motorcycle unions’ representatives, driver unions’ representatives and the Ministry of Transport.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Transport, Deputy Transport Minister for Administration and Insurance, Hon. Bushuben M. Keita expressed special thanks and appreciation to the GIZ for the conduct of the road safety research studies and said that the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the Liberia National Police(LNP) including other transport related stakeholders is working to ensure that the current Vehicle and Traffic Law of Liberia is reviewed and amended through the legal framework in order to develop a National Road Safety Law that would help address key issues relating to road crashes or accidents. He said that the Ministry of Transport by extension has plan underway to decentralize its activities across the country as well as conduct trainings for vehicle and motorcycle operators. He said the various recommendations made to Government in the report are relevant and will be used as important tools by the Ministry and stakeholders in the formulation of a National Road Safety Law of Liberia.
The presentation of the research report which took place in the Office of the Deputy Minister for Administration, Hon Bushuben M. Keita was witnessed by Mr. Daniel Johnson, Technical Focal Point and Mr. Lemuel O. Kleeme, Assistant Director for Public Affairs at the Ministry of Transport.