Traffic: New law needed<\/p>\n
In the name of all Jakarta residents in this fiftieth year of
\nIndonesia's independence form the Netherlands, there is one piece
\nof colonial law which must be removed and revised--the traffic
\nlaws. It is a law which daily forces most Jakarta residents to
\nthe limits of their sanity, whether they are a driver-owner, a
\nowner-passenger or a passenger on public transport. It is a law
\nwhich endangers their lives and causes them to waste enormous
\namounts of their precious working day.<\/p>\n
This law is a straight unexpurgated lift from Dutch law (left-
\nhand drive) without any consideration for the fact all the cars
\nin Indonesia are right hand drive. This paradox derives from the
\nfact that the first cars in Southeast Asia were from United
\nKingdom (right-hand drive).<\/p>\n
As a result, Indonesian traffic law requires a driver to give
\nway to his blind side or his off side, i.e. the left hand side.
\nYes, the side you cannot see clearly. Not many know that, even
\nthe traffic police. It is fortunate for most of us this point of
\nlaw on the road is not pushed to the point where collision is
\ninevitable. Fortunately, our insurance companies are unaware of
\nthis.<\/p>\n
Perhaps in this special year it might be appropriate to set
\nIndonesia's traffic laws straight and at the same time include
\nsome new regulations with regard to blocking intersections,
\nsuitable parking distances from intersections, appropriate pick-
\nup points for public transport, etc.<\/p>\n
Hopefully, the result would be smoother, speedier and safer
\ntraffic in Jakarta. We all need it making a more efficient city
\nand thereby saving the government money and precious oil
\nreserves.<\/p>\n
T.C. SCOTT<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/traffic-new-law-needed-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }