Jonglei state police warn against using under age cyclists

December 28, 2015(BOR) – The traffic police director in South Sudan’s Jonglei state Mabior Ruar has advised parents and the business community against using under age children as commercial cyclists.

Speaking to Sudan Tribune in Bor on Monday, Mabior said the traffic department was creating awareness among the public on how best roads, can be used for the safety of all, stressing that using children contravene traffic laws and regulations.

“Any child below 18 years old found road riding a bike commits offense liable of a fine of 500 South Sudan pounds as first warnings, or forfeiting his bike and imprison for six months”, said Mabior.

“The parents of that child are separately fined 1,000 South Sudan pounds or the owner of the bike who encouraged that child to use the bike for business purposes commits an offense liable of bikes forfeits or fines of 3,000 South Sudan Pounds”, he added.

Reminding the public about some traffic laws, Mabior urged communities to help traffic police pass rules and observe them to reduce traffic crimes and accidents on roads.

The partnership between the community and police, he said, was one of the modalities on how people handle and bring about crimes reductions within the communities.

“It educates on how the roads shall be used and change the behaviours and attitudes of the people according to traffic laws and regulations”, stressed the Jonglei traffic boss.

He said each motor bike is meant, by traffic rules, to carry only one passenger at a time.

“When the motorcycle rider violates this and found carrying more than one passengers, he commits offense, liable of paying a fine not less than 50 South Sudanese pounds and not more than 100 South Sudanese pounds,” warned Mabior.

He added, “The boda boda rider should not carry a pregnant woman, should such a person be found doing so, he shall be considered as violator and liable of a fine not less than 50 South Sudanese pounds and not more than 100 South Sudanese pounds”.

The officer also urged cyclists to put on helmets to protect themselves in case of accidents, adding that numberless vehicles and motor bikes were not allowed on roads.

According to Mabior, traffic emergency numbers that any one is allowed to call incase of accidents in town and its surroundings have been issued to help police and the public.

Without availing details, he said this year unlike 2014 had less numbers of accidents.

(ST)