By Hou Akot Hou
Traffic officers in Northern Bahr El Ghazal state have issued stern warning to vehicle owners against the use of laser beam light while riding.
A traffic officer Yai Mahumamad Ater, told this news outlet that the light is a contributing factor to the rising cases of accidents in the state.
“We have seen to it that a lot of cases are on increase because lasers are being bought by the boda boda riders and at night they use as they ride with high speed which makes vision of the other user of the road blind and hence an accident” said Yai
Mahammad revealed that they were making orders which they are instilling in the minds of the vehicle owners particularly the boda boda riders to avoid the use of laser beam light at night.
He underscored it blindfolds or reduces the vision of the passenger and the other person on the road making it as a contributing factor to cases of accidents.
“Our next step is to liaise with the traders to avoid buying them and sell to the riders or else the taxes can be levied highly on such items such that they highly charged to avoid buying in bulk and come sell it” He noted.
Muhammad also emphasized that the matter of tramadol being inhaled by young boys while riding is something that the ministry of health has to look into.
He emphasized that the ministry of health has to find ways of terminating the business of selling tramadol as it contributes to criminal cases.
“The ministry of Health has to act swiftly to contain the spread of the tramadol in all shops and it is something that can be done by all institutions as an order” He cautioned.
Boda-boda association chairperson, James Garang faulted the traffic officials for cooperating with the laser users as they apprehend them and later released them before 24Hrs in custody.
“Many people are getting caught red-handed while using laser, and once they are caught they get released just after an hour because they are having connections, and this is something we don’t encourage as a union of Boda-boda riders” he said.
“We need the traffic to make operation or crackdown at night as they are seen at night which lasers are being lighted” he added.
In response, the Director for traffic police in Northern Bahre El Gazzal state, Diing Reec Diing said that he was planning to meet with the owners of the companies that has vehicles being hired but not licensed.
“We don’t want young boys who have not reached 18 years to be driving vehicles as they are part of the crimes which are increasing” he stated.
In 2021, 25 boda boda (motorcycle taxi) operators in Aweil town of Northern Bahr-El-Ghazal State had committed themselves to abide by traffic laws to mitigate accidents.
The cyclists participated in a one-day road safety training facilitated by United Nations Police (UNPOL) officers serving with UNMISS.