How to prevent traffic congestion

When it comes to kemacetan (traffic jams), everyone has an opinion on who are the guilty parties.

Most of the time, bus and bajaj drivers are blamed for the daily congestion on the city's streets.

What people forget is that traffic is like a piped water system: If you stop the water at one point, the whole network is affected. Water finds its way to the plug hole but this overloads the other pipes and creates strange effects like backflow, turbulence or overpressure. In any event, the flow is reduced.

This is exactly what happens in traffic. Every day, I have to turn right to enter the street where I live. And every day it is the same crazy situation. The intersection is blocked and no one seems to see me although I wave at people, blow my horn or flash my lights. It's no use waiting for somebody to let you in; you could wait for ever. I have to fight and force my car through.

Meanwhile, hundreds of cars have to wait behind me. It seems that once behind the steering wheel, drivers can only see in front of them. They just pretend not to see you. The only traffic rule seems to be "me first".

But I am not the only one. Just think how many people have to turn against opposing traffic in the entire city: Hundreds, thousands ... . Every day I create a mini kemacetan of, say, 200 meters. Just multiply this by 100 or 1000: Got the picture?

The notion of traffic fluidity should be in drivers' minds at all times, in their own interest. If you prevent somebody from turning in front of you, you are slowing down all the traffic and therefore yourself, too.

This is not even a question a politeness; it is pure physics and mathematics. "Do not block intersection" should be enforced and proper street markings clearly indicating that should be implemented.

But not only have drivers to improve their behavior -- just look at pedestrians. They cross roads anyhow, anywhere ... risking their lives and once again slowing down the traffic. Just spend five minutes watching people in front of Pasaraya, terminal Blok M. Nobody uses the pedestrian footbridge.

But that's another story that should start at primary school. So, scapegoat bus and bajaj drivers? Well ... that's up to you to decide.

DANIEL CRICKX Jakarta