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Experts urge drivers to check brakes, be extra careful on notorious road

A steep stretch of road in Subang regency of West Java has claimed many a life and inspired mystical stories as people grapple with the danger it poses

Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post)
Bandung
Mon, September 16, 2019

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Experts urge drivers to check brakes, be extra careful on notorious road

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span>A steep stretch of road in Subang regency of West Java has claimed many a life and inspired mystical stories as people grapple with the danger it poses.

But the cause for the numerous fatal traffic accidents on the road — known as Tanjakan Emen — is far more natural than legend has it, with experts recommending drivers simply be prepared and extra alert as they navigate the treacherous section.

The latest collision on the steep section in Ciater district, Subang, took place on Tuesday at 10:30 a.m., leaving one person dead and another two injured, including the driver.

Jalancagak Police chief Cmr. Sugeng Edi said a truck had flipped over and dropped its load. 

“The driver only sustained mild injuries. He said he had brake trouble,” Sugeng said.

At least 10 traffic collisions have occurred on the steep road since 2004, killing 59 people.

Twenty-seven people were killed in 2018 alone. 

The section is called Tanjakan Emen after the nickname of Taing bin Sanan, or Emen, a minivan driver who died following an accident on the road back in 1956. Brake failure reportedly saw Taing slam his vehicle into the dirt wall on the side of the road.

Adna, his codriver, was also injured in the accident but managed to free himself from the vehicle, which was on fire after the collision, while Taing was stuck inside.

Adna could not help Taing to get out as he had injured his ankle.

Taing sustained severe burn wounds and died at Rancabak Hospital (known today as Hasan Sadikin Hospital) two months later. 

Urban legend says that, whoever passes the road should throw a cigarette and honk their horn to pay respect to Taing, lest his spirit haunt them as they pass the steep road.

The West Java administration has renamed the steep road from Emen to Aman (safe) to promote safe driving.

R. Sonny Sulaksono, an expert from the Bandung Institute of Technology’s (ITB) Transportation Engineering Experts Group, said the steep road, just like the Purbaleunyi section of the Bandung-Jakarta toll road in Purwakarta regency, West Java, required extra attention from drivers.

“The road is long and steep. Every vehicle that passes a steep road will be pushed by extra speed, so drivers need to be extra careful when hitting the brakes,” Sonny said.

He noted that there was no issue with the road structure.

Even though West Java authorities have put up several warning signs, Sonny implored drivers to maneuver safely on the section.

“Make sure the brakes are in a good condition and functioning properly. Drivers should also limit their speed and maintain [sufficient] distance from vehicles in front of them,” Sonny said. 

Two collisions also occurred on the Purbaleunyi section of the Bandung-Jakarta toll road in Purwakarta regency, West Java, at around 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, but caused no fatalities.

Two people suffered mild injuries and were treated at the MH Thamrin Hospital in Purwakarta.

Purwakarta Police traffic control unit head Adj. Comm. Ricky Adipratama attributed the accident to a container truck driver losing control of his vehicle. (dpk)

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