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Transportation minister blames fatal Cikampek crash on errant drivers
Budi Karya said that the crash most likely happened because fatigued drivers involved in the crash wanted to quickly find ways to relieve their stress.
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This picture taken in Cikarang, West Java on April 8, 2024, shows rescue workers checking the wreckage of a minivan after it crashed, killing 12 people. (Antara/Awaludin)
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ransportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi on Monday blamed errant drivers who violated road safety rules for the fatal crash on the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road that killed at least 12 people.
Budi Karya said that the crash most likely happened because fatigued drivers involved in the crash wanted to quickly find ways to relieve their stress.
The minister also insisted that the "contraflow" policy enacted by the National Police to divert traffic to allow for a better flow of the eastbound traffic was not to blame for the fatal accident.
"Usually, these drivers are tired and want to immediately find the rest area. While waiting to get inside the area or exiting the area, crashes happen," Budi Karya said, as quoted by Antara.
He also said that the traffic police had thoroughly prepared their plan for the "contraflow" policy before implementing it.
At least 12 people were killed when a car crashed into a bus and another car on the busy Cikampek toll road as people traveled to celebrate Idul Fitri with their families.
"It was confirmed that there were 12 passengers" in the car that crashed into the bus, senior human development minister Muhadjir Effendy told reporters.
"And all of them died," he said.
Two people – a bus attendant and a passenger in the bus – were injured in the crash, Effendy said.
The accident occurred on a highway in Karawang town in West Java province at around 7:00 am when a car heading east from Jakarta swerved and crashed into the bus and another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction.
Television footage broadcast earlier on Monday showed two wrecked cars that were completely burnt in the aftermath of the accident.
The accident occurred as millions of Indonesians trave to their hometowns to celebrate the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan with their families.
