The majority of accidents occur at unauthorized crossings, accounting\nfor around 80 percent of cases, involving motorcycles at 55 percent and\ncars at 45 percent,Jakarta (ANTARA) - Transportation Minister Dudy\nPurwagandhi stated that the government, along with the state-owned\nrailway company, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), has closed 172\nunauthorized level crossings as a measure to improve train safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have begun closing 172 unauthorized level crossings,\u201d he said\nafter attending a working meeting with Commission V of the Indonesian\nHouse of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Thursday (May 21).<\/p>\n
The closure of these level crossings is part of an effort to regulate\ncrossings deemed to pose a risk to the safety of road users and railway\noperations across various regions.<\/p>\n
The transportation ministry is also preparing a safety improvement\nprogram at level crossings that currently lack adequate security\nfacilities.<\/p>\n
Purwagandhi stated there are currently 3,674 level crossings\nthroughout Indonesia, consisting of 2,771 registered crossings and 903\nunregistered crossings. Based on the evaluation, 172 crossings were\nrecommended for closure due to their road width being less than 2\nmeters, and 1,638 priority locations require safety improvements.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese improvements include the provision of guard personnel, guard\nposts, supporting facilities, communication equipment, and other safety\nequipment,\u201d the minister explained.<\/p>\n
The government aims to accelerate the installation of safety\nfacilities at these crossings to better protect both train passengers\nand road users. To support the program, the government has allocated\napproximately Rp800 billion (US$44 million) for the development of\nsafety facilities at railway crossings across the country.<\/p>\n
The ministry also recorded 1,058 accidents at level crossings over\nthe past three years.<\/p>\n
However, the number of incidents declined from 337 cases in 2024 to\n291 in 2025, with 102 incidents recorded as of May 1, 2026. According to\nPurwagandhi, this indicates that various safety improvement measures are\nbeginning to produce positive results.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe majority of accidents occur at unauthorized crossings,\naccounting for around 80 percent of cases, involving motorcycles at 55\npercent and cars at 45 percent,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He emphasized that improving crossing safety requires not only\ninfrastructure upgrades but also stronger public awareness and\ncompliance with traffic regulations near railway lines.<\/p>\n
Therefore, the Transportation Ministry will continue educating the\npublic to obey traffic signs and avoid crossing railway tracks when\ntrains are approaching, as trains cannot stop instantly.<\/p>\n
Related news: Indonesia\u2019s BRIN develops safer rubber rail crossing\ntechnology<\/p>\n
Related news: Bekasi train collision: Govt to improve railway safety\nat crossings<\/p>\n
Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Resinta Sulistiyandari<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-shuts-172-illegal-rail-crossings-to-cut-accidents-1779537378", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }