Police warn motorists over nail traps

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 05/19/2008 11:50 AM  |  City

Motorists are being advised to be wary of nail traps being set up in several areas of Jakarta, making drivers vulnerable to highway robbery.

The Jakarta Police's traffic management center has identified 13 hot spots for nail traps in the city.

Highway robberies carried out using nail traps are regularly reported to police, with nails hidden inside newspapers and cigarette packs that are left on the road.

As drivers stop to examine the damage, armed perpetrators use the opportunity to threaten them, police warned.

Drivers whose cars have been damaged are advised to avoid the nearest tire workshop to seek repairs, as police records show that the thieves who set up the traps often wait for the victims at the workshop.

Police recommend drivers move on slowly until they reach a police station or post or a safer area. Drivers can also call the traffic management center to ask for police assistance on 021-5276001.

Police said motorists should avoid the far left hand side of roads, where nail traps are often set, and not drive over cigarette packs, newspapers, plastic bags or matchboxes. (uwi)

Nail trap hot spots:

West Jakarta:

1. Jl. S. Parman, particularly from Harapan Kita Hospital until Tomang, including Slipi traffic light and Slipi flyover.

South Jakarta:

1. Permata Hijau flyover until Pondok Indah

2. Army's Strategic Command (Kostrad) housing complex

3. Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio, particularly from Mal Ambassador to Jl. Casablanca.

4. Jl. TB Simatupang, particularly around Lenteng Agung flyover and toward Pasar Minggu

5. Jl. Gatot Subroto, from Saidah Tower until Kuningan crossroad; Jl. MT Haryono, around the Pancoran Monument and Pancoran flyover.

Central Jakarta

1. Jl. Gatot Subroto, from the Mandiri Tower until Semanggi flyover

2. Jl. Majapahit, from Tanah Abang until Harmoni

3. Jl. Jendral Sudirman, around Semanggi flyover

Source: Traffic Management Center www.lantas.metro.polri.go.id SMS: 1717 Phone: 021-5276001

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