The Director of the South Sudan National Police Service’s (SSNPS) Traffic Department in Western Bahr el Ghazal State on Wednesday said the state recorded 497 traffic accident cases in 2023.
According to Brigadier General Jeremiah Maker Nai, 44 deaths and several serious injuries were registered out of the 497 road accidents which occurred mostly in the state capital Wau and its environs last year.
“In 2022, we had 32 deaths reported from traffic accidents which was high, 231 serious injuries and 106 minor injuries,” he tallied. “In 2023, we had 44 deaths, 216 serious injury cases 36 cases of minor injuries. When you look at the death cases, there was an increase in 2023.”
According to Gen. Maker, the causes of accidents in the state are bad driving, and speeding among others.
“The reason for these accidents are speeding, overloading, driving under the influence of alcohol, bad roads and reckless driving,” he said.
The traffic police chief cautioned and urged them to drive carefully, be cautious and stop overloading.
He also warned motorists against drunk driving and said their vehicles would be confiscated if found driving under the influence of alcohol.
“This year we are going to take measures to ensure that we reduce accidents,” he warned. “Do not drive when you are drunk otherwise we will confiscate your motorbike or vehicle.”