Dangerous pothole on toll road
Dangerous pothole on toll road
There is a pothole the size of a tire about one kilometer away
from the Kebon Jeruk tollbooths westbound towards Merak (on the
Tomang side). It has been there since the big storm in early
March. It is a particularly dangerous pothole, since that toll
road is used heavily for industrial transportation by heavy
vehicles.
Cars either avoid it, making a sudden swerve or drive over it,
causing significant damage to their vehicles or even personal
injuries. Fortunately, there have not been any major accidents
resulting from the pothole, but I am not going to wait for one to
occur. It is an accident waiting to happen.
I used that particular stretch of toll road everyday and --
eight times out of 10 -- I would forget about the hole and make a
quick maneuver. At night, a lot of cars drive far above the speed
limit and with limited lighting, it is really hard to see that
pothole.
I understand the pressure that the toll officials are under.
They are doing the best they can to deal with problems involving
toll roads that those unfamiliar with their jobs would not
understand. The pressure is especially strong when the area is
part of the exemplary zone for traffic discipline. Furthermore,
there are bigger and far more dangerous potholes on other toll
roads or roads in general. My pothole can't possibly be on the
list of top priorities. Many roads have not survived the heavy
rains. Maybe the ministry in charge of roads should look into the
materials chosen to build the roads.
My question is what can we -- the paying customers of the toll
road -- do to help with the maintenance of the road. It is our
road. Well-built roads are the pride of our nation and the tools
of our economic development. I think I speak for all those who
travel our roads that we want the pothole fixed. I personally do
not mind paying a slightly increased toll fee for a few weeks
until the management has enough money and can spare other
resources to fix that pothole.
LISTIJANI SASMITO
Jakarta