Speeders make quick getaways on weak evidence<\/p>\n
Urip Hudiono and Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Efforts to protect Jakartans from road accidents caused by
\nreckless, rubber-burning motorists often come to no avail, as the
\nevidence is not considered solid enough for court.<\/p>\n
\"Speed-gun results are not accepted. Defendants argue that the
\nresults are questionable, as they come from the police and could
\nwell be fabricated,\" Adj. Sr. Comr. Naufal Yahya, chief of the
\nJakarta Police traffic division's law enforcement unit, told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Thus, the police are reluctant to issue tickets for speeding,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
There are clear legal grounds for sanctioning speeders as
\nregulated in Article 23 of Law No. 14\/1992 on traffic, which
\ndemands that motorists obey traffic signs. Article 61 of the law
\nstipulates a maximum sentence of one month in prison and\/or Rp 1
\nmillion (US$111) fine for any offenses.<\/p>\n
Another traffic regulation specifies a speed limit of 40
\nkilometers per hour (kph) on city roads, and up to 60 kph on main
\nthoroughfares. On inner city toll roads the speed limit is
\nbetween 60 kph and 80 kph, while on intercity toll roads, the
\nlimit is between 60 kph and 100 kph.<\/p>\n
At one time, toll road operator PT Jasa Marga tested out its
\nspeed camera equipment. The trial had to be stopped, as so many
\nvehicles went over the speed limit that the data overloaded the
\nequipment.<\/p>\n
Judge Sunaryo of the Central Jakarta District Court admitted
\non Monday that he had never presided over a trial on speeding.<\/p>\n
\"But, if the legitimacy of the evidence is called in to
\nquestion, the police need to explain to the court how their
\nequipment works. That way, judges can better consider the case,\"
\nhe told the Post.<\/p>\n
Naufal said the police would coordinate with courts in the
\nnear future on the use of speed cameras, which would mean that
\nevidence was better analyzed and more reliable.<\/p>\n
In a recent meeting between the Ministry of Communications'
\ntraffic directorate, PT Jasa Marga, Jiwasraya state insurance
\ncompany and the National Police, the institutions agreed to
\nreinstall speed monitoring equipment on toll roads.<\/p>\n
From January to July this year, 2,631 traffic accidents were
\nreported in Greater Jakarta, in which 586 people died and 1,508
\nothers were seriously injured.<\/p>\n
On Aug. 17, three pedestrians waiting for the bus on the
\nsidewalk on Jl. TB Simatupang, South Jakarta, were killed when a
\nspeeding bus with faulty brakes hit them.<\/p>",
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