Discipline on the road

Discipline on the road

As far as we can recall, no recent bus strike has
inconvenienced so many Jakarta commuters for so long as the one
which has occurred over the past three days. The strike began on
Monday when an undisclosed number of minibus drivers went on
strike to protest the hefty increase in fines for traffic
infractions. Drivers found violating the new law can be fined
between Rp 15,000 and Rp 25,000, or twice the amount previously
imposed for the same offenses.

What began as a mild protest apparently escalated as more
drivers and crew joined the action. By yesterday, the strike had
reportedly gathered such momentum that many larger city buses
were prevented from plying their usual routes along the city's
main thoroughfares for fear of being stoned or otherwise harassed
by striking minibus drivers. Police and military authorities even
felt compelled to announce the deployment of some of their
personnel to fill the void.

Furthermore, to underline their resolve in implementing the
new regulation and instilling discipline on the roads, the
authorities let it be known that no compromises would be sought
with the strikers. "The police will remain consistent in
implementing the policy which has been determined by the
government," said Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Moch. Hindarto.

An even more determined statement was made by the Chief of the
Armed Forces, Gen. Feisal Tanjung. Commenting on the strike to
reporters, Gen. Feisal said that no dialog was necessary with the
striking bus crews, and that soldiers would be deployed if the
drivers persisted in their action because "what we need is
disciplined drivers."

Fortunately, by late yesterday afternoon a settlement
reportedly had been reached between police authorities and
minibus company owners, promising a speedy end to the strike.
Given the vital importance of public transportation in Jakarta,
however, it is instructive to take a look at the possible motives
behind this recent action.

It is of course well known that opposition to the new traffic
law on which the new fines are based -- Law No. 14 of 1992 -- has
existed ever since the draft was made public. The obvious reason
is that the law imposed much heavier penalties for offenses in
order to ensure greater discipline on the roads. Skeptics have
alleged that the harsher penalties would only cause fraudulent
officers to demand bigger bribes from drivers and bus crews for
offenses, whether real or imaginary.

Be that as it may, a major point to consider is also the fact
that, from the beginning, opponents of the new law have argued
that the affected parties have not been given ample opportunity
to participate in the law-making process. However, once the law
took effect, the best that could be done was to once again
explain, as clearly as possible, to all the parties concerned
that the law exists for the good of all.

That, of course, also implies assuring road users that no
abuses will occur and that effective steps will be taken to
guarantee that those who violate the regulation will be
disciplined, with no exceptions.