How to prevent traffic congestion<\/p>\n
When it comes to kemacetan (traffic jams), everyone has an
\nopinion on who are the guilty parties.<\/p>\n
Most of the time, bus and bajaj drivers are blamed for the
\ndaily congestion on the city's streets.<\/p>\n
What people forget is that traffic is like a piped water
\nsystem: If you stop the water at one point, the whole network is
\naffected. Water finds its way to the plug hole but this overloads
\nthe other pipes and creates strange effects like backflow,
\nturbulence or overpressure. In any event, the flow is reduced.<\/p>\n
This is exactly what happens in traffic. Every day, I have to
\nturn right to enter the street where I live. And every day it is
\nthe same crazy situation. The intersection is blocked and no one
\nseems to see me although I wave at people, blow my horn or flash
\nmy lights. It's no use waiting for somebody to let you in; you
\ncould wait for ever. I have to fight and force my car through.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, hundreds of cars have to wait behind me. It seems
\nthat once behind the steering wheel, drivers can only see in
\nfront of them. They just pretend not to see you. The only traffic
\nrule seems to be \"me first\".<\/p>\n
But I am not the only one. Just think how many people have to
\nturn against opposing traffic in the entire city: Hundreds,
\nthousands ... . Every day I create a mini kemacetan of, say, 200
\nmeters. Just multiply this by 100 or 1000: Got the picture?<\/p>\n
The notion of traffic fluidity should be in drivers' minds at
\nall times, in their own interest. If you prevent somebody from
\nturning in front of you, you are slowing down all the traffic and
\ntherefore yourself, too.<\/p>\n
This is not even a question a politeness; it is pure physics
\nand mathematics. \"Do not block intersection\" should be enforced
\nand proper street markings clearly indicating that should be
\nimplemented.<\/p>\n
Train police staff on traffic fluidity matters and fine the
\nbad guys. Radio stations and TV could collaborate and broadcast
\neducational traffic programs instead of the usual, stupid campus
\nromance soap operas.<\/p>\n
But not only have drivers to improve their behavior -- just
\nlook at pedestrians. They cross roads anyhow, anywhere ...
\nrisking their lives and once again slowing down the traffic. Just
\nspend five minutes watching people in front of Pasaraya, terminal
\nBlok M. Nobody uses the pedestrian footbridge.<\/p>\n
But that's another story that should start at primary
\nschool.<\/p>\n
So, scapegoat bus and bajaj drivers? Well ... that's up to
\nyou to decide.<\/p>\n
DANIEL CRICKX
\nJakarta<\/p>",
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