Deputy police spokesman calls for arrest of underage motorists

JUBA – South Sudan’s police service is urging traffic officers to apprehend underage motorists in order to curb the increasing number of daily Boda-Boda accidents in the country, particularly in the capital city, Juba.

Speaking to Sudans Post on Monday, Brig. Gen. James Dak, the deputy police spokesman, expressed concern over families permitting underage children to operate motorcycles and ‘auto rickshaws’ to make a living.

Dak emphasized the risks associated with underage driving and called on responsible families to discourage their children from violating the laws.

Dak noted that despite efforts to license and screen motorists, some are still underage, contributing to the rising accidents daily.

He highlighted the legal ground as indicated in the framework of the Penal Court as well as the Court of Appeal, that anyone under 18 is not qualified to obtain a license and must be mentally and physically fit if he/she is above 18.

“We have been licensing and screening them, and when some are denied of licenses given the fact that they are under-ages, the public is saying they are surviving on these boda-bodas, and forgetting that they are killing themselves in return,” he said.

Dak also addressed the dangerous practice of mothers carrying children on Boda-Bodas, emphasizing the need for community intervention to condemn such actions.

“Another issue is that mother carrying a child on a Boda, can you imagine if the accident happens? what will happen to this innocent child? we have been talking and people are not listening. It’s prohibited, and it’s a great violation to put a child and a mother on Boda-Boda,” he stated.

“A pregnant mother with a child and the husband driving, what will happen to this child if the accident happens?  we need the contribution of the community. The community must talk and say this is not right,” he added.

The deputy spokesperson furtherly appealed to the community, Boda-Boda trade union, and traffic police to collaborate in apprehending underage motorists.

He stressed the importance of holding parents accountable for accidents caused by underage children, as they may be unable to compensate for injuries or fatalities.

“We can’t pass a day without Boda-Boda accident, we appeal to the community, to the Boda-Boda trade union to assist us on this matter, and we will keep on begging traffic police to apprehend them, and to uphold if they have the license,” he said.

“To make sure that when the under-age drives the father must be responsible and accounted for it, because if he makes an accident, that child will not be able to afford the compensation for the death or injury,” he added.

Dak also hinted at forthcoming notices prohibiting the transportation of children on Boda-Bodas, with potential fines for violators.

“For the people carrying their children on their back and boarding a Boda-Boda, we are going to make another notice, to make sure that this is strictly prohibited and if found carrying a child on the back they will be fined,” he said.

While Dak did not provide specific statistics on Boda-Boda accidents, he underscored the urgency of community assistance and law enforcement efforts to address the ongoing issue.