Another incident: multi-vehicle crash at Bawen Toll Exit due to brake failure

On Tuesday, 3 March 2026, at approximately 18:30 Western Indonesia Time, a multi-vehicle crash involving ten vehicles occurred on the descent towards the Bawen Toll Exit, injuring eight people. The incident began when a truck travelling from Semarang to Salatiga entered the descent towards the Bawen Toll Exit and is suspected to have lost control due to a braking system that was not functioning. The truck driver, named Warsito (36), explained that initially the brakes were functioning normally when used on the slope. In a situation where the brakes were not functioning or failed, the truck first struck a motorbike. However, because the traffic light in front was red and there was a queue of vehicles stopped, the truck then rammed into several motorcycles and a car in front. Director Training Safety Defensive Consultant Indonesia, Sony Susmana, said brake-fade cases involving large vehicles recur and pose a serious challenge for fleet owners and drivers. “Brake failure that ends in crashes has often occurred in large vehicles. This is a major PR for owners and drivers alike, because the victims are other people who know nothing about it. It has become tiring to hear about brake-failure crashes again and again,” Sony said, when contacted by Kompas.com on Thursday (4 March 2026). He added that truck drivers can no longer rely solely on operational skill; they must master anticipatory steps to prevent on-road risks. “For instance, stop every 2-3 hours of driving, regularly check brakes, maintain speed, avoid overload. Also, on descents use a low gear,” Sony said. Using a low gear makes the engine brake work more effectively, keeping the vehicle’s speed controlled and not increasing due to gravity. For large vehicles like buses and trucks, an exhaust brake can also be used as an additional braking system. In a separate interview, Ahmad Wildan, Senior Investigator at the National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), said that most crashes attributed to brake failure are not caused by a failure of the braking system itself. “In almost all brake-failure cases, the issue is the driver, not the vehicle’s braking system,” he said. He noted that many drivers do not understand the correct procedures when traversing descents. Proper driving techniques can prevent brake fade. When descending, drivers should not rely solely on the main brake pedal but should also utilise engine braking. Using a low gear makes the engine brake more effective, keeping speed under control and not increasing due to gravity. For large vehicles such as buses and trucks, an exhaust brake can also be used as an additional braking system to enhance safety. “Do not keep stamping on the pedal; this can cause overheating of components, pads may sublimate, producing smoke that obstructs the drum and pad, and brake fluid may boil causing the pedal to sink,” he said. Accordingly, brake-fade incidents on descents are not solely due to braking system failure; they can result from poor driving technique. Understanding the correct procedures is the key to preventing similar crashes.