Gbarnga, Bong County -- Drivers, especially those who move heavy duty vehicles recklessly and parking them along Gbarnga's two-lane street is serving as a death trap for motorists, but authorities say a lack of logistical support is undermining enforcement of traffic laws.
Residents and drivers say vehicles are frequently left along the main road, especially at night, without hazard lights or warning signs, creating dangerous obstacles for oncoming traffic. The problem, they warn, has made night travel increasingly risky, with several crashes reported in recent months.
Bong County Traffic Commander, Mamadea M. Kanneh, says the situation has already had deadly consequences. According to him, 13 fatal accidents were recorded in Gbarnga in February, with at least nine deaths, many linked to vehicles improperly parked along the roadway.
"This is a serious concern," he said, noting that drivers continue to ignore basic safety rules.
Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn
Under Liberia's traffic regulations, specifically Section 10. 85, drivers are required to place warning devices when their vehicles break down. Mr Kanneh said failure to do so is a violation that puts lives at risk.
"Any driver who parks on the road without deploying a traffic device to signal a breakdown is violating the law," he said.
He also warned against parking at junctions and along both sides of the road, saying such practices narrow the carriageway and increase the likelihood of collisions.
Residents describe a daily pattern in which some motorists park along the roadside to run errands or loiter, rather than pulling completely off the road. In other cases, broken-down vehicles are left unattended for long periods without reflective triangles or warning signs.
The situation is particularly dangerous near busy areas such as the Gbarnga Iron Gate, where congestion and limited space make it difficult for vehicles traveling in opposite directions to pass safely.
Some residents say the impact goes beyond motorists. Parking on pavements is forcing pedestrians, including the elderly and parents with children, into the roadway, exposing them to additional danger.
Students Describe Daily Risks
Students who commute daily say the impact of reckless parking goes beyond inconvenience, exposing them to constant danger.
Peter Kollie, a student at Cuttington University studying secondary education, said parked vehicles often force pedestrians into unsafe situations.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
"My personal experiences with recklessly parked vehicles are that they always obstruct walkways and force us to step into the road at the wrong time, exposing us to moving traffic," he said.
Another student, Murphy Flomo, a sophomore studying sociology at the same university, said he has personally witnessed the consequences.
"I have seen parked vehicles along the road and they have caused multiple accidents," he said. "These vehicles are abandoned on the road with no signals."
"I witnessed an accident while going to school, and the person died," he added.
Despite enforcement measures, including fines paid into government revenue, Mr Kanneh said the traffic division faces significant challenges.
He cited the lack of a towing truck to remove broken-down or abandoned vehicles as a major obstacle.
"The absence of a tow truck is a major challenge in clearing the road and enforcing the law," he explained.
