Holidaymakers warned of 'deadly' roads

Holidaymakers warned of 'deadly' roads

SEMARANG (JP): Holiday revelers bound for hometowns in Central
Java for Idul Fitri are being cautioned about at least 11
accident-prone areas in the province.

Governor Mardiyanto said on Monday he had been informed that a
number of road sections in the province were dangerous because of
sharp bends, makeshift markets and floods.

The critical spots are situated on routes between Boyolali and
Kartasura, Ungaran and Bawen, Salatiga and Boyolali, Juwana and
Rembang, Kudus and Pati, Semarang and Demak, Ambarawa and Secang,
Prembun and Purworejo, Majenang and Wangon, Slawi and Margasari
and between Ketanggungan and Prupuk.

"Apart from sharp curves and floods, we have observed in a
number of towns seasonal traders resort to opening business on
sidewalks," the governor said.

Mardiyanto said the local authorities would detour vehicles to
23 alternative routes which are safer and less crowded.

Roads across Java island will be crowded with vehicles
carrying an estimated two million people leaving for and coming
from their hometowns one week before and after the Idul Fitri
holiday, which is expected to fall on Jan. 8.

Mardiyanto said Central Java authorities would prohibit trucks
and trailers from using routes along the north coast between four
days before and one day after the holiday, except those carrying
essentials, cattle, milk and gas.

During the same period, private cars will be barred from using
main roads to allow buses from eastern Java to arrive in Jakarta
in ample time to pick up people leaving the capital for their
hometowns.

Separately, Central Java Military Commander Maj. Gen. Bibit
Waluyo confirmed that security authorities were prepared to
maintain order prior to and during the New Year and Idul Fitri
holidays. He said some 10,000 military troops would be deployed
as backups for the police.

"Hundreds of trucks and buses are ready to transport people in
case of (bus) strikes," said Bibit.

In the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar, the business-class
section on ships operated by state sea transportation company PT
Pelni is booked solid until the end of January.

The head of Pelni's Makassar office, Wardi Syamsuddin, told
The Jakarta Post on Monday the number of ship passengers leaving
the town for Christmas, New Year's and Idul Fitri was estimated
at over 100,000.

The exodus is expected to peak this week, with most passengers
bound for Java.

Wardi said the company would tolerate a passengers overload of
between 30 percent and 50 percent aboard each vessel due to the
sharp increase of travelers. Pelni has said the extra capacity is
within safety standards.

A Pelni ship has between 1,500 and 2,000 seats.

At least 12 ships dock at Makassar port every day during
holiday seasons. (27/har)