Fatal bus accident leaves 8 people dead on Juba-Nimule highway

December 28, 2012 (JUBA) – Eight people were killed and 35 others injured, some seriously, when a bus overturned on Juba-Nimule highway on Friday morning.

Police authorities have blamed the accident on over-speeding by the driver who then lost control 90km away from Juba, the South Sudan capital towards Nimule border.

The Friendship bus was traveling to Kampala, Uganda, when the incident occurred.

Among the dead were six Ugandans, including the driver and two Ethiopians.

The accident is the third of its kind since the 192km tarmacked highway linking the South Sudan capital with Uganda was officially opened early this year.

Over speeding in South Sudan is a common challenge faced and blamed for most of the accidents as there is no speed limit which is consistently regulated by the traffic police. Drivers always choose the speed they want to drive with while on the road.

The worst defiant drivers, according to official records from the army and security organs, are the ones who over-speed and drive cars without number plates. Many drivers, including civilians drive without a driving license.

Pedestrians also get killed on the road partly because of the over-speeding, coupled with the pedestrians’ lack of education on road crossing.

(ST)