Soeharto condemns reckless drivers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Reckless drivers caught the attention of
\nPresident Soeharto yesterday who condemned them and said such
\nbehavior could no longer be tolerated.<\/p>\n
He said the irresponsible behavior of some drivers had cost
\nmany innocent lives.<\/p>\n
Despite all government efforts, he lamented, the percentage of
\nfatalities in traffic accidents continued to rise steadily.<\/p>\n
"Reckless drivers endanger human lives... it is important to
\ntake stringent measures against any traffic violations," Soeharto
\nsaid when opening the Ministry of Transportation's national
\nworkshop at the ministry's office.<\/p>\n
"It is true that traffic accidents cannot be completely
\neradicated, but we can and we must reduce them especially if
\ncaused by human error," the president added.<\/p>\n
According to Soeharto, 17,500 traffic accidents occurred in
\n1994, which claimed 11,000 victims. In 1995, the number of
\naccidents dropped to 16,500, but the number of fatalities was
\nsimilar to the previous year.<\/p>\n
In 1996, almost 11,000 people were killed in 15,000 accidents.
\nIn the first five months of this year, the death toll reached
\n5,140.<\/p>\n
"It means that almost 30 people are killed each day," Soeharto
\nnoted.<\/p>\n
Soeharto's concern comes days after a weekend collision
\nbetween an intercity bus and a dump truck on the outskirts of
\nJakarta that killed 35 people.<\/p>\n
The driver of the bus was reportedly intoxicated.<\/p>\n
"The high number of accidents is very worrisome. We are all
\nobliged to enforce traffic safety," Soeharto said.<\/p>\n
"All authorities must be firm in their actions. You don't
\nreally need to hold special operations (sweeps) every once and
\nawhile, because that's only (effective) seasonally.<\/p>\n
"What's more important is the firm against all forms of
\nviolations. All drivers must remember that the streets are public
\nproperty and should be used for the benefit of all," the
\npresident contended.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's ceremony was also attended by Vice President Try
\nSutrisno and his wife.<\/p>\n
Accompanied by Try and minister Haryanto, the President also
\ninaugurated a 25-story building as an addition to the ministry of
\ntransportation's main building.<\/p>\n
Soeharto also presented awards to 70 regencies and mayoralties
\nfor their success in promoting and enforcing traffic discipline.<\/p>\n
The recipients include Surabaya, East Java; Padang, West
\nSumatra; and Jayapura, Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
Speaking of the ministry's workshop which began yesterday,
\nSoeharto said it was important to identify both the strong and
\nweak points of transportation systems.<\/p>\n
"It's not a matter of finding out who's right or who's wrong.
\nThose things that are still lacking should be viewed clearly so
\nthey can be corrected," the President remarked. (prb)<\/p>",
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