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fter reading the various debates on low-cost green cars (LCGCs), underage drivers and other issues relating to the traffic problems in Jakarta, a question begs an answer: Why are we still nagging the government to provide better public transportation options? It'€™s not the only way of tackling Jakarta'€™s worsening traffic.

Building infrastructure to support the overflow of cars on the roads is not the only option the city has. The proper enforcement of traffic laws and regulations plays a huge part in managing traffic '€” and that applies anywhere in the world.

Too often motorists find themselves stuck in traffic for half an hour on streets that should only take five minutes to pass. Was there an accident up ahead, a roadblock of some sort? No '€” it is usually fellow motorists jostling to cut into the next lane, or angkot (public minivans) stopping right in the middle of the street to pick up or drop off passengers.

There is no order. It is not uncommon for four lanes to form on roads designed to accommodate two lanes.

As a reader mentioned in the Sept. 28 edition of The Jakarta Post, a traffic jam should not be a normal occurrence. It is not something that is a characteristic of a city. The notion that local residents are desensitized to traffic conditions holds true, but habits can be changed '€” however slowly.

Having people use the roads by the book will not only improve traffic congestion, but also prevent the number of accidents.

So instead of complaining about lack of facilities, why don'€™t we insist on the proper enforcement of traffic regulations?

With the gargantuan amount of cars in Jakarta, the process will require infinite patience '€” but hey, aren'€™t we apparently used to that now?

Felicita Goentoro

Jakarta