Dramatic Drop! Deaths from Eid Exodus Accidents in 2026 Decrease, but This Threat Remains Dominant

Positive news emerges from the 2026 Eid exodus and return period. The number of deaths from traffic accidents has been recorded as decreasing significantly, though risks on the roads have not entirely vanished.

Jasa Raharja’s CEO, Muhammad Awaluddin, revealed that over the 12-day Eid alert period, the number of fatalities reached 228 people. This figure represents a drop of around 28% compared to the same period last year, which saw 318 victims.

This decline is attributed to various supervision efforts and improvements in safety during the exodus period.

‘Our focus is on reducing fatality rates, and so far, there has been a significant decrease compared to the previous year,’ Awaluddin stated during a press conference at the Jasa Marga Tollroad Command Centre in Bekasi on Wednesday (25/3).

Although the trend shows improvement, the facts on the ground remain concerning. Accidents are dominated by two-wheeled vehicle users, with the main causes unchanged: driver fatigue and suboptimal vehicle conditions.

Awaluddin highlighted the phenomenon of extreme journeys undertaken by travellers, even exceeding 35 hours without sufficient rest. This condition is considered a ‘silent killer’ that often triggers fatal accidents on the road.

On the other hand, Jasa Raharja has distributed compensation to 224 deceased victims, totalling Rp11.2 billion as of the latest report.

The agency emphasised that safety monitoring will continue until the return flow is complete. The public is also reminded not to push themselves while driving.

‘Safety must be the priority. Ensure physical condition and vehicle are in prime shape before travelling,’ he stressed.

The reduction in fatality rates is indeed a positive signal, but the dominance of two-wheeled accidents and fatigue factors indicate that road safety homework is far from finished.