Sharp Decline in Road Mishaps
A sudden pause has descended on Juba’s streets after the Traffic Directorate suspended its high-profile crackdown on unlicensed vehicles. Officials say the operation produced a clear payoff: fewer collisions and visibly higher compliance across rickshaw, motorcycle and car drivers.
Officials cited ‘few accidents’ during the week-long drive, a trend they judge significant in a city where road chaos often fuels public concern.
Directorate Explains Policy Shift
“I decided to stop the traffic crackdown until further notice,” General Kon told state television, noting that drivers now queue voluntarily for licence renewal.
He argued the temporary victory reflects cooperative attitudes from rickshaw, motorcycle and car operators, not merely stricter policing.
Respectful Policing Emphasized
The director warned traffic officers against heavy-handed behaviour, stressing that anyone failing to “cooperate with the citizens will be subject to action”.
Observers say the message underlines a broader push for service-oriented policing across South Sudan’s institutions.
Enforcement Could Return
While checkpoints are gone, officers will still manage traffic flow at busy intersections, the Directorate said.
Officials hinted that full enforcement could resume if compliance slips, leaving motorists with a clear incentive to maintain the current discipline (Eye Radio).