South Sudan Red Cross trained more than 40 taxi drivers and motorcycle riders on road safety and responsibility in Juba on Tuesday.
The two-day training teaches motorists and riders the traffic rules on road usage and safety to reduce rampant cases of accidents on main roads.
The head of the Juba branch of the Red Cross, Juba says the training will help road users to know the role of traffic police officers and the rules of road safety.
Joseph Lukak Charles says most road accidents are caused by these drivers and riders due to ignorance of the traffic laws and regulations.
He believes after the training; the participants will be able to follow and also disseminate traffic rules and regulations which will eventually curb the high rates of accidents in the towns.
Joseph further added that drivers also have a role and responsibility to play especially during an accident. He says these motorists have a responsibility to offer first aid to victims in case of any accidents.
“People drive carelessly and they don’t care about other road users due to ignorance of the traffic rules and that’s why there are high rates of accidents in the towns,” Charles stated.
The traffic police officer who moderated the session on traffic rules says there’s little cooperation between the traffic police officers and motorists.
Major Emmanuel Khemis says most drivers often violate traffic rules and subsequently end up causing accidents.
He pointed out that speeding, driving or riding under the influence of alcohol, and riding or driving by someone underage are some causes of accidents in the city.
Major Khemis urges motorists to obey traffic rules and cooperate with traffic police officers to reduce the high rates of accidents in the city.
“We need to cooperate and obey the traffic rules to reduce the high rates of accidents in Juba. I am urging parents to forbid teenagers under 18 from riding,” Khemis urges.
The representative of the drivers’ Union says many drivers are being issued driving licenses without proper assessment.
Moses Sadaraka Pasquale says these new drivers are issued a driving license in an illegal way and they start driving on the main roads which sometimes causes accidents.
Drivers Union has accused heavy trucks and water tank divers of not being professional. He argues that most water tankers learn driving in a few days and make it hard to do their work professionally.