Comment: Cyclist hit by Transjakarta bus

Paper Edition | Page: 8

Aug. 6, p. 9

 A Transjakarta bus serving the Pulogadung–Harmoni route struck a child during a Car-Free Day in Central Jakarta on Sunday morning.

The child was riding a bicycle on Jl. Letjen Suprapto, Central Jakarta, when the bus entered the lane.

Your comments:

These types of accidents are part and parcel of ignorance, absence of law enforcement, absence of obedience, absence of education, selfishness, etc., as we can see daily in traffic and also in daily life in Indonesia.

The occurrence of accidents will not change in the near future or even further into the future as long unless a proper system of road education and behavior is introduced, coupled with a proper law enforcement regime which should not be left only to the police.

The age of the victims in these cases is not relevant.

Furthermore, the reaction of angry mobs vandalizing the bus and obstructing roads and traffic in reaction to such accidents is a typical expression of lacking the above-mentioned educational issues, legal issues and very important control of emotions which Asians claim to be part and parcel of their cultures.

Start at a very early age in schools and especially in households to teach children the basics of traffic rules and law obedience, not forgetting a less selfish attitude. Not easy but it is feasible.

Jorith Arbier