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dul Fitri vacationers have begun returning to Jakarta and other major cities across the country after visiting their hometowns, as indicated by traffic returning to its normal chaotic levels.

Based on observations at the Cileunyi toll gate and the highway from Jatinangor to Cinunuk from morning until noon on Wednesday, hoards of people on motorcycles were seen heading from Sumedang and Garut to Bandung.

The number of cars heading to Bandung or Jakarta through the Cileunyi toll exit has also increased in comparison to previous days.

The toll exit was filled with cars returning from Garut and Tasik-malaya, and from Cirebon and Sumedang.

"The number of cars has increased by between 6 and 8 percent, but the number will rise again significantly this afternoon," said Cileunyi tollgate employee Solihin.

Access to the city from the north, especially Lembang, was heavily congested with traffic on Tuesday night, as cars were backed up from the Sari Ater hot spring to Tangkuban Perahu, or more than 3 kilometers.

Heavy traffic congestion also occurred between Cagak and the Lembang market, which continued to Jl. Setiabudi and the Jl. Cihampelas shopping areas.

The traffic accident rate on expressways in Jakarta and surrounding areas reached more than 60 accidents during the Idul Fitri exo-dus this year, a 50 percent increase compared to the same time last year.

Based on data from the Jasa Marga state-run toll road operator, 28 accidents occurred in the corresponding period last year, indicating the number of accidents has increased by 53.57 percent this year.

National Police also recorded that traffic accidents in the police jurisdictions of Lampung, Banten, Greater Jakarta, Central Java and West Java had reached 589, in which 245 people were killed, 387 people were severely injured and 545 people were suffering from minor injuries.

Rising traffic levels have also affected the southern roads of Central Java from Yogyakarta to Jakarta and Banyumas from Tuesday night.

Banyumas Police chief Sr. Comr. M. Ghufron announced the police had set up resting places so that travelers could take a break from their journey if they were feeling fatigued. "Yes, we have set up 50 posts for travelers," Ghufron told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, hundreds of travelers returning to Jakarta and its surrounding areas flocked to the food and snacks center on Jl. Pandanaran in Semarang, Central Java, on Wednesday causing traffic congestion along the main road. Dozens of cars were parked in front of shops selling a variety of food and snacks. Cars slowing down to drop-off passengers and find parking spaces also contributed to the traffic jam.