Signs, signs everywhere signs!<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Jak Jaunt may be content to laze in the back of
\na cab, oblivious to the traffic around him. But he is missing a
\nlot. Jakarta's traffic signs are an endless source of excitement.<\/p>\n
Having an international driver's license doesn't mean you will
\ngrasp the intricacies of driving in Jakarta. Not only because the
\nroads are poor and crowded -- other big cities are even worse --
\nbut because you will certainly face unique traffic signs. Signs
\nyou actually have to read.<\/p>\n
A \"No entry\" sign is universally understood as prohibiting you
\nfrom driving pass the sign. In Jakarta, however, you must take a
\ngood look at it. It could state that you are one of the lucky
\nones who are allowed to enter. Under the round sign board you may
\nfind a postscript explaining khusus kendaraan umum, meaning only
\ncommercially-operated vehicles are prohibited from entering. You
\nare allowed.<\/p>\n
One of my friends, an expatriate, commented, \"Jakarta is a
\nsign paradise. But, who has got the time to read them? By the
\ntime you figure out what a sign means, you're in trouble.\"<\/p>\n
He was once caught by a traffic attendant for blocking an
\nintersection. He spent too much time reading the sign and did not
\nnotice the heavy traffic behind him.<\/p>\n
Jakarta's traffic signs are confusing. Take, for instance, the
\nMelawai-Panglima Polim intersection at Blok M in South Jakarta.
\nHere, there are so many traffic regulations that it takes a while
\nuntil you can proceed without making any mistakes. If you are
\ncoming from Jalan Sisingamangaraja, you will notice four signs.
\nOn your left a sign states that you can turn left without waiting
\nfor the green light. On your right two other signs compete for
\nyour attention. One explains that you have to turn left if you
\nare going to Jalan Panglima Polim Raya between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.
\nThe other one prohibits U-turns and termasuk ke arah Bulungan
\n(turns in the direction of Bulungan). Unless you live around the
\nBlok M area, you won't understand the postscript.<\/p>\n
But that's not all. Right in front of you, there is a \"No
\nEntry\" sign with an additional condition: 07:00 - 10:00 kecuali
\nbis kota\/hari libur. If your Bahasa Indonesia is limited, you'd
\nwonder what kind of vehicle a Hari Libur is. It means holiday,
\nbut what do holidays have to do with traffic? The information on
\nthe sign discloses that, unless it is a holiday, you are
\nprohibited from entering the road between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.
\nunless, of course, you happen to be driving a city bus.<\/p>\n
Right in front of the State Palace, there is a sign with an
\neven longer explanation: Pukul 06:30 - 10:00 Kecuali:
\nBerpenumpang 3 orang\/lebih\/mobil penumpang umum\/sepeda motor\/hari
\nlibur.<\/p>\n
Even with fluent Indonesian, you need to stop a second to
\nswallow it all. I don't guarantee that, while trying to digest it
\nall, you won't be hit by a car speeding up behind you.<\/p>\n
-- Carl Chairul<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/signs-signs-everywhere-signs-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }