Danantara pushes to strengthen transport safety measures in Koto Baru
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Danantara Chief Operating Officer (COO) Dony Oskaria inspected road conditions in the Koto Baru area of Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra, as part of efforts to reduce transport accident risks and strengthen safety measures along a route with high heavy vehicle traffic.
“We want to minimise accidents going forward,” Dony said in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday, regarding the COO’s working visit to Koto Baru.
During the visit, Dony was accompanied by West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi, Deputy Chairman of House of Representatives Commission VI Andre Rosiade, and PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) President Director Bobby Rasyidin.
Dony emphasised the importance of collaboration between local government, transport operators, and heavy vehicle drivers to improve road user safety in the area.
He explained that one of the government’s primary focuses is ensuring that freight vehicles, particularly lorries, meet operational roadworthiness standards before travelling on accident-prone routes.
According to him, local governments have been asked to tighten oversight of vehicle compliance, including technical aspects that could potentially cause accidents.
“The local government has urged all lorries to pay attention to vehicle compliance as the number one priority,” he said.
Beyond vehicle compliance, Dony stressed that brake system inspections are a serious concern, given that brake failure is frequently the cause of heavy vehicle accidents. He said the government would push for a mandatory periodic brake inspection policy.
“We will make it compulsory — the government will require brakes to be inspected,” he affirmed.
Furthermore, additional anticipatory measures are being prepared through the strengthening of safety and rescue systems at accident-prone points to improve emergency response capabilities.
According to Dony, the active role of local government is crucial in ensuring that transport safety policies are implemented consistently by all relevant parties.
With cross-sector synergy, he expressed optimism that accident risks on both rail and road routes in the Koto Baru area can be reduced, whilst simultaneously supporting the smooth flow of mobility and economic activity in the region.