Drunk driver

On Oct. 1, 1996, at about 8:45 p.m. my car (a new Suzuki Sidekick-B 1725 EJ) was hit from behind when I was stopped at a traffic light on Jl. Prapanca.

The other car was a Volvo 740 GLE (B1763 MK) driven by Rick Bowler, an expatriate from Aberdeen, and managing director of Thermotest. His office is located at Building 206C Cilandak Commercial Estate. The car in front me was also damaged in the chain crash.

I believe that the Volvo driver was drunk, as I could smell alcohol on his breath. He was accompanied by another expatriate, who also appeared to be intoxicated. The driver did not want to give me his driver's license and auto registration, so I sent for a police officer from the district police office at Jl. Wijaya. While I was waiting for the police officer, the Volvo driver harassed and threatened me. We argued about the accident. When the police officer arrived, Bowler shouted at me: "Stupid, you are stupid," and resorted to profanity.

When I asked the police officer why he did not arrest the man immediately, I was told that the matter should be settled in court, and that his drunkenness must be proven -- but the police did not have alcohol detector.

I was insulted by the Volvo driver's behavior and I have lost valuable work time trying to sort out this case. Meanwhile, his promise to have his authorized dealer repair my car has not yet been fulfilled. He allowed Guardian Insurance to take over the case, which in turn transferred it to my own insurance company, PT Wahana Tata. I've had nothing but problems with these two insurance companies, even though the Volvo driver was willing to pay for repairs.

More than two weeks have passed since the accident and my car still has not been repaired. My phone calls have not been returned, and even my letter to Bowler went unanswered.

How could a foreigner be so free to act here? I am sure in his own country a drunk driver would be severely punished. What about in Indonesia?

NOSI LESTARIWATI

Jakarta