Frustrating traffic<\/p>\n
Talk, talk, talk is all they seem to do on the future policy
\nto improve traffic conditions in Jakarta -- a Rp 5,000 parking
\nfee for the hour, even and odd number registration plates for
\ndifferent days of the week and the three-in-one system. Has the
\ntraffic improved? Is driving in Jakarta at all safe? Of course it
\nis ...<\/p>\n
The police are indeed well trained and efficient. They are
\nrenowned for camouflaging themselves on streets. The moment a
\ndriver violates traffic regulations, police will stop you with
\nthe sound of their whistles. Don't worry if your car is not
\nequipped with an antilock braking system, they are well trained
\nin ninja tactics to avoid themselves becoming a road hump.
\nDrivers will learn about traffic regulations at a cost depending
\non the type of vehicle that they are driving and how much change
\nthey have their wallets. This also comes in a package of tactical
\nbargaining lessons.<\/p>\n
In order to be consistent with traffic regulation training,
\nroad signs and traffic lights are also beautifully camouflaged,
\nor at such a peculiar angle that one does not notice them unless
\nthey are pointed out. They are usually written in such a manner
\nthat they can only be read from a distance of not further than
\ntwo feet and even then it is difficult to understand what they
\nmean.<\/p>\n
To assist the situation at road junctions, traffic regulators
\nin uniform are present. Dressed in anything from a police uniform
\nto singlets, shorts and thongs, all carry high frequency
\nwhistles. They traverse and shuttle between vehicles, directing
\ntraffic with a hand signal like John Travolta in Saturday Night
\nFever. Indeed, most important is the sound of the whistle which,
\nwith the same beat and tone, could mean stop, go, turn, or Rp
\n100.<\/p>\n
The state of vehicles on the road is amazing. Cars, buses,
\ntrucks and motorcycles appear all over the place. Some vehicles
\nare adorned with flashing lights like a Christmas tree. Some have
\nno lights but emit thick, black smoke with an occasional roar
\nfrom the rear. And then there are five people all squeezed
\ntogether very tightly on a motorbike. But they all have
\nincredible honks. Hence, drivers are trained to respond to the
\nsurroundings. They put on their shades when they drive at night,
\njust in case the vehicle in front has got a large white tail
\nlight or stinging laser beam to blind you when they step on the
\nbrake. Loud honks are installed to blast everything that gets in
\nthe way.<\/p>\n
JODY DHARMAWAN<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/frustrating-traffic-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }