Traffic police in Bor town of Jonglei State on Wednesday warned commercial motorcycle operators, commonly known as boda-boda riders, against breaching road traffic rules, which continues to contribute to road accidents and loss of lives in the area.
Brigadier-General Ajak Kamich, the Director of Jonglei State Traffic Police, told Radio Tamazuj that the traffic police observed that the commercial motorcycle operators over speed and ride carelessly, which in some cases resulting in fatal accidents.
“Last month, we registered at least 7 cases of road accidents. While in the last two days, we had three cases in the Malek area. This surge began after the rehabilitation of the roads within the town. Our children over speed because they see the roads are good,” Ajak said.
To curb traffic accidents, he revealed that they launched a road safety campaign. “From today (Wednesday), we started deploying our officers along the major roads to ensure that people abide by the road safety rules. In the coming weeks, we will crackdown on the illegal riders and drivers such as the underage, and those with no licenses or number plates,” Ajak said.
Mary Akur, a resident of Bor town, recounted the moment that she witnessed a fatal accident involving one of the commercial motorcycles.
“My cousin brother was involved in a road accident after his motorbike veered off the road. He was unconscious but now he is fine, “she said.
Bol Deng Bol, a civil society activist in Bor town, decried the rising cases of road accidents and called upon the relevant authorities to ensure the safety of the road users.