Mudik cyclers require planning
Mudik cyclers require planning
Indah Setiawati , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Wed, 10/15/2008 | City
The ever-increasing number of motorcyclists traveling during the annual Idul Fitri exodus could very well exacerbate road accidents next year unless the government takes the situation in hand, Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI) said.
Secretary-General Danang Parikesit said MTI estimated the number of motorcyclists could rise by 20 percent next year because provincial population centers would not provide proper transportation for the holidaymakers to travel en masse safely.
He said MTI supported the state railway company’s idea to provide special coaches to transport passengers’ motorcycles.
“We hope PT Kereta Api will set up more than one cargo coach for motorcycles for 14 days during next year’s exodus. That could reduce the number of motorcyclists on the roads,” he said.
Danang said the number of motorcyclist during this year’s annual holiday exodus, known as mudik, did increase, but not as steeply as MTI had predicted thanks to companies which organized free bus transportation for their employees.
“For next year, the government just needs to regulate the companies that organize such events so they provide two drivers for each bus, to minimize traffic accidents due to fatigue.”
According to MTI’s records, both buses involved in accidents during the recent exodus only had one driver.
“A bus on an eight-hour trip or longer should have a substitute driver so they can take turns,” Danang said.
He said the quality of infrastructure had improved this year, including well-surfaced major roads around the capital as well as better service in airports and train stations.
He said many roads in other regions, however, had not been adequately maintained.
“The regional administrations need to fix their potholes.”
MTI cited the provinces which should see to their damaged roads: Banten, North Sumatra, South Sulawesi as well as parts of East Java, West Java and West Nusa Tenggara.
The group also had data on which kinds of traffic violations contributed to accidents, such as cyclists with no helmets or more than two riders per bike.
“Police should not only ticket cyclists without helmets but they should obligate them to buy one on the spot,” he said, adding he was sure the cyclists could afford it.
The Idul Fitri exodus this year claimed 548 lives and seriously injured 702 people, according to data from the National Police.
Though motorcycle accidents rose, the overall figure was lower than last year’s holiday-period tally of 798 deaths.
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Tags: Danang, East Java, Free Bus Transportation, Indonesian Transportation, Jakarta Post, Java West, Many Roads, Motorcyclists, Mti, North Sumatra, Parikesit, Population Centers, Proper Transportation, Provincial Population, Railway Company, Regional Administrations, Road Accidents, State Railway, Substitute Driver, Traffic Accidents, Train Stations, West Java