Driving Change Behind the Wheel: How RSAI’s Public Institution Drivers Training Project Is Paving the Road to Safer Government Transport in Liberia
In a country where road traffic fatalities outpace most global averages, the conversation about road safety is no longer optional—it’s urgent. According to the World Health Organization, road crashes claim more than 1.19 million lives annually, and while Africa owns only 3% of the world’s vehicles, it suffers over 20% of global road traffic deaths. Liberia’s situation is even more dire, with an estimated 35.9 fatalities per 100,000 people—ranking among the highest in the world.
Poor enforcement of traffic laws, deteriorating road infrastructure, and the absence of standardized driver training have long been cited as contributing factors. But one factor often overlooked is the conduct of public institution drivers—the individuals behind the wheel of vehicles tasked with transporting government officials, critical documents, and, in some cases, vulnerable populations.
A New Model for Public Sector Road Safety
Road Safety Action International (RSAI), a for-impact institution that has taken Liberia’s alarming road safety statistics and turned them into a call for national action. Through its Public Institution Drivers (PID) Training Project, RSAI is rolling out a bold, practical solution: train the drivers at the heart of government mobility.
Launched in 2024, the first phase of the PID Project set out to train drivers from four key ministries:
By the end of Phase I, RSAI had successfully trained and certified 250 government-employed drivers, transforming what was once a conceptual initiative into a proven, scalable model for institutional road safety reform.
Why Public Institution Drivers?
Public institution drivers are not just vehicle operators—they are mobile representatives of the government. Their professionalism, safety habits, and road behavior reflect the state itself. Unfortunately, many of these drivers have never received formal training in road safety, vehicle maintenance, or emergency response. Some are unaware of even the most basic traffic regulations. The consequences? Frequent collisions, high repair costs, and tragic loss of life—often on duty.
These are not just administrative inefficiencies. These are governance issues. And RSAI’s training program is addressing them at the root.
Over a rigorous three-day workshop, each participating driver is taken through:
The sessions are designed to be interactive, scenario-based, and hands-on, ensuring that drivers don’t just absorb information—they apply it. Simulated crash responses, practical demonstrations, and real-world case studies make the program engaging and impactful.
Measurable Results, Tangible Impact
The impact of the pilot phase was felt almost immediately. Ministries reported:
In many ways, the PID Training is not just a safety program—it’s a cultural shift for Liberia’s public sector.
Looking Ahead: 1,000+ Drivers, One National Roadmap
Building on the momentum of the pilot phase, RSAI now has its sights set on training over 1,000
public institution drivers across all 18 ministries of the Liberian government. The second phase
is scheduled to span from June to December 2025, with two institutions trained per
month.
This is not just about training for training’s sake. It’s about building an institutional model
for transport safety that aligns with national development priorities, including the ARREST
Agenda for Inclusive Development, the Liberia National Road Safety Action Plan (2018–2028), and
global commitments under the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030).
RSAI: A For-Impact Leader in Action
What makes RSAI different is not just its technical expertise but its mission-driven resolve. As
a for-impact institution, RSAI isn’t here to tick boxes—it’s here to transform how government
transport is done in Liberia.
The PID Project isn’t just about safer drivers—it’s about safer missions, more effective
governance, and restored public confidence. Whether it’s a Ministry of Health driver rushing
vaccines to a clinic, or a Gender Ministry vehicle delivering social workers to a protection
case, every trip taken safely is a service delivered well.
Join the Movement
RSAI is calling on stakeholders—government leaders, donors, development partners, and civil society—to support the expansion of the PID Project. Road safety is not a sectoral concern; it is a national imperative. And thanks to RSAI’s leadership, Liberia now has a tested roadmap for real change. Because safe roads begin with informed drivers—and when public institutions lead by example, the whole nation follows.
Some photos from the Training
