Three people die each day in traffic accidents

Tifa Asrianti ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 05/14/2008 10:32 AM  |  City

RISKY RIDER: A woman rides a motorcycle without wearing a helmet in Senen, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday. City police have recorded many accidents caused by negligence this year.

City police recorded at least three deaths and seven severe injuries each day in road accidents from January to April 2008.

The data showed accidents involving motorcycles contributed to at least two of the fatalities and five of the injuries.

In the first four months of the year, the city police recorded 2,210 road accidents; 56 percent of them involving motorcycles, 19 percent private cars, 12 percent public transportation vehicles and 12 percent cargo vehicles.

The accidents resulted in 382 fatalities, 861 severe injuries and 1,374 light injuries.

Last year, 5,154 accidents were recorded, with 68 percent or 3,552 cases, involving motorcycles. The death toll for the period was 719 and 1,703 people were severely injured. Of that number, 71 percent were caused by human error and 19 percent of drivers involved had no driver's license.

Comr. Irvan S. Prawira, Jakarta Police traffic division's accident unit head, said most accidents were caused by drivers' negligence.

"In anticipation of accidents, motorcycle riders should wear standardized helmets; we will issue a regulation on it in December. We'll also ask motorcycle producers to give helmets to their customers," Irvan said.

Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu will soon issue a regulation on standardized helmets, expected to reduce the number of accidents on the roads, Irvan said.

Irvan said the police planned to take action against those who used cell phones while driving. He said his office had recorded one death and four serious injuries during the period from road accidents caused by cell phone use.

"We are recording such cases. If the number continues to rise, we'll issue a regulation obligating people to use handsfree equipment. If motorists violate the regulation, we'll fine them," Irvan said.

He said while waiting for the regulation, the police could enforce the Criminal Code and other existing regulations prohibiting reckless driving.

In a bid to raise safety awareness among drivers, the city police and PT Astra Honda Motor will hold a safe riding campaign, involving 30,000 motorcycle riders, on May 20.

The participants, which will come from all kinds of communities, will ride from 13 points across the city to the Kemayoran Expo Hall in Central Jakarta, with a speed limit of 30 km per hour. The campaign, entitled "Safety Comes Before Speed", will set a record and will be given a place in the Indonesian Museum of Records.

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