Increase in traffic accidents in Juba due to alcohol and speeding
By Ngor Arol Garang
August 26, 2010 (RENK) – The traffic department of south Sudan’s police said on Thursday that road accidents have increased in Juba due to drink driving (driving after drinking alcohol), speeding and general negligence.
They hope the move will decrease the number of forged licenses, identify frequent offenders and tackle the issue of underage driving.
General Joseph Lado Lako, Director of Southern Sudan Traffic Police, told Sudan Tribune from the regional capital Juba, “People do not observe driving rules and regulations. Everyone wants to drive so long as they have vehicles without holding proper driving license, most of whom are underage children.”
The chief of traffic police in the region said Juba town is congested with vehicles and people are driving without sticking to the rules of the road. “They are not observing traffic rules and regulations and this is why there have been increased traffic cases in recent weeks,” he said.
“I would like to assure our public commitment and determination of the traffic authority to ensure road accidents are reduced. It is our responsibility and it will remain our responsibility to ensure that road accidents are minimized by all means possible,” said Lako.
Lako revealed that the southern government is considering a computerized driving license system to reduce fraud and increase efficiency.
Achuil Tito, Inspector General of Southern Sudan Police, who also backs computerizing the system, told Sudan Tribune in a separate interview that he has instructed the police to carry out driving tests and vehicle inspections with high levels of commitment and integrity.
“I have asked General Lako in our weekly security briefing on Monday that our traffic police in various stations ensure that performance pays. Laxity in carrying out duties will not be tolerated. I want this new system to really bring the desirable changes to the region and improve regional safety records,’’ he said.
“With new initiative in place there shall be no need for a traffic police officer to ask drivers so many questions for details because detail of each and every registered driver with valid driving permit will be stored in the computer,” he added.
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Gatwech
South Sudan police conducts inspection of valid driving license
Congratulations General Lado Laku for the initiative to improve the traffic policing.
You people must also educate padestrians on how to cross the streets. You can have a TV program twice a week showing both drivers and padestrians how they should use the street.
It is like drivers do not know the right of padestrians and padestrians do not know the right of drivers. Confusion which you could see on TV screens when you watch drivers speeding up and padestrians crossing at very slow speed at any crossing. That is not safe!