Motorists cautioned against bad driving

 DRIVERS must take precautions while using the road, a lawyer says. 

Investigation Task Force Sweep Team chairman Sam Koim made the remark to  more than 5000 people at the funeral service of three students at Penda Primary School in Dei last Thursday.

The students are Sakias Joe, in Grade 12; Angra Tiki and Junior Anton, both in Grade 10 at the Mt Anglimp Secondary School.

Joe was from the Walapeka tribe,  while Tiki and Anton were from the Roloka tribe in Dei, Western Highlands. They were killed last Monday at the Kindeng section of the Highlands Highway in Jiwaka while on their way to school.

A vehicle belonging to a man from Kol in Jimi, veered off the road and hit them at about 10am.

Koim said countless lives had been lost because of careless driving. 

He said some drivers had a “don’t care” attitude. 

“We sometimes see drivers travelling beyond reasonable speed. This is not good because accidents do happen,” he said.  “Vehicle owners must ensure their vehicles are in good condition. Mechanical problems often cause accidents.” 

Koim said the poor condition of roads was another contributing factor to accidents. Koim described the tragedy as a great loss to the family, community, province and the country. “We have lost potential leaders of this our community,” he said. 

Koim thanked the tribesmen for not taking the law into their hands. “You didn’t take revenge. That shows that you have a clear conscience. 

“We will let the rule of law to take its own course,” he said.