Southern Sudan launches massive road safety awareness campaign

Southern Sudan on Saturday launched its Road Safety Campaign for 2010, with a range of advice and information for drivers and pedestrians alike. With nearly nine people dying every day on Sudan’s roads.

The target groups for road safety include: drivers, pedestrians, children, motorcyclists and the elderly/disabled who are vulnerable to road accidents.

Statistics from Juba Teaching hospital reveal that, “ten accidents occur per a day in Juba city centre and other facilities in around Juba city.” As a demonstration, a 2.9 km march was performed with the Transport and Roads Minister Anthony Lino Makana and Interior Minister Gier Changson leading the parade.  They were accompanied by USAID officials, area churches, Civil Society Organizations, UNMIS and hundreds of pedestrians.

Makana who reiterated his determination to establish the Southern Sudan Road Authority (SSRA) said, “Under the SSRA,[the] road safety awareness campaign shall continue to educate the public on how best the roads can be used by both pedestrians and auto operators.”

Local motorcyclists (Bodo-Boda riders) who account for 90% of road accidents in Juba took part in the march as a sign of compliance with the road safety awareness campaign. Pedestrians during the walk carried banners displaying safety messages such as: “Stay Alert! Avoid Accidents and think before you drive”  Hundreds of T-shirts with awareness messages were distributed to market goers and the general public.

Under the USAID funded Sudan Infrastructure Services Project, Task Order 8 – Capacity Building Program and the Ministry of Transport & Roads have teamed up to provide drivers with advice for turning on to or turning off a tarmaced.

The last five years have witnessed an increase in traffic, which is clearly visible in Juba. USAID Sudan says it is proud of being the main sponsor of the Road Safety Awareness and appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Transport and Roads with their Minister, Anthony Lino Makana, leading the march up to the All Saints Cathedral.

Undersecretary of MTR-GOSS, Raymond Pitya says: “The reckless and poor driving conditions in Juba city mean that the roads can be particularly treacherous for both drivers and pedestrians. Road safety is all about trying to help people be prepared, improving safety and encouraging drivers to understand more about the many dangers that they can experience on the roads.”

 The campaign, according to Pitya, would be launched at the regional levels to create awareness throughout Southern Sudan with the hope of minimizing the death toll on roads.

The Road safety awareness campaign also includes a range of tips for drivers, including advice on possessing valid driving licenses and tips on what to do in an accident and the facts about drunk driving.

To reduce and minimize traffic accidents, Ministry of Interior (Department of Traffic Police) will enforce strictly a number of measures to curb accidents.

• Driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous and most fatal accidents are caused by drunk drivers with pedestrians – Therefore, licenses for this condition shall be withdrawn.

• Speeding and unnecessary overtaking are dangerous and can be fatal. Therefore, speed limits at different sections of roads shall be observed, especially at the hospitals, schools, markets and places of worship.

• Driving tests and written examinations on traffic laws will be passed before acquiring licenses.

• Children under 18 years shall not be issued licenses. Those already having it face revocation of their licenses – in this regard parents, teachers and the general public are requested to cooperate and assist the traffic police. 

• The county authorities shall allocate parking areas and prohibit parking of vehicles and motorcycles on the roads.

• Pedestrians’ walkways and shops veranda should not be blocked and closed – The building regulation specify these verandas as meant for the public to pass freely and safely without encroachment to the roads.

The hoopla which surrounded the landmark 2.9 km long march ended at The All Saints cathedral – followed by entertainers from Sunday school children and women’s groups who had converged to embrace the road safety awareness.