Police authorities in Twic State, one of South Sudan’s newly created states, have banned with immediate effect, pickup cars loaded with goods from carrying passengers in the state.
The move came after a deadly accident involving a Land Cruiser vehicle on the road in Mayen Abun area in May.
In a statement to local media outlets, Twic state traffic officer, William Agany said the decision aims to reduce road accidents in the state.
"This is the cause of accidents across the state and it must stop because it is very risky to the lives of passengers who travel using a pickup loaded with goods," said Agany.
He warned that whoever is caught transporting members of the public will be punished, pointing that pickup vehicles are not suitable for public transport.
Augustino Nyuol Deng, a local resident in Twic state, welcomed the move but urged the state government to repair roads and make public transport available for the people of the state.
He added that the vehicles loaded with goods have put the lives of people at risk. “Anyway, this is a good idea because it would save the lives of passengers,” he said.