DLLAJ decides to disregard traffic problems
DLLAJ decides to disregard traffic problems
BOGOR (JP): The local Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ) has
decided not to take any measures to solve the chronic traffic
congestion here because of the violent attitude of public
transport drivers, an agency official said on Monday.
Head of the agency's traffic section, Kosmana, said his men
were also worried that if they punish traffic violators,
including private motorists, they might be classified as human
rights abusers.
Based on these reasons, he said, his agency could do nothing
to stop the bumper-to-bumper congestion that took place almost
every day in the town.
"We're afraid of being accused of violating human rights.
Thus, our people on the streets don't dare ticket traffic
violators," Kosmana explained.
The official explained that another factor behind the traffic
jams in Bogor was that six out of the nine sets of traffic lights
in the town were no longer operational as they had been damaged
by ill-behaved people.
"We have reported these to the related parties but have still
got no response," Kosmana said.
Bogor is a small town located south of Jakarta and is a
favorite weekend destination for the capital's residents.
Traffic congestion does not only occur at weekends or on
public holidays. Serious congestion often takes place on
weekdays, particularly on the streets leading to traditional
markets and bus terminals.
Bogor's streets have a total of 6,500 angkot and intercity
buses plying them daily, serving a local population of some 5
million people.
In an attempt to meet growing public complaints about the
traffic problem, Bogor Police recently assigned its traffic
officers to place 50-centimeter-high black and white painted
barrels in the middle of the streets to manage the traffic.
"The drums are used at certain times only, particularly during
peak hours. The drums are moved shortly after the traffic returns
to normal so as not disturb motorists," Bogor Police chief Col.
Edi Darnadi said last week.
Traffic policemen are deployed to stand on top of the barrels
when directing traffic, something which Edi said was to improve
the local police's image in the eyes of the public.
"In the past, policemen only directed traffic from the side of
the streets.
"But, nowadays they can stand on top of the drums so that
motorists can see them from a distance," Edi explained.
The "living drums", as Edi dubbed them, have been placed on
the central Bogor streets of Jl. Pajajaran, Jl. Baru, Jl.
Paledang, and in the Tugu Kujang area.
The police have also deployed the drums on major streets in
the vicinity of popular tourist destinations, such as those
located in Cileungsi, Parung, Cibinong, around the Gadog T-
junction and Ciawi T-junction and Cisarua, Edi said. (21/bsr)