Lebaran Travel: Don't Focus on Chasing Time, Prioritise Safety

JAKARTA — Lebaran holiday travel is often marked by accidents, both single-vehicle incidents and multiple-vehicle collisions. One of the primary causes is fatigued or drowsy drivers on long journeys.

Sony Susmana, Training Director at Safety Defensive Consultant Indonesia (SDCI), stated that the key to safe travel is enjoying the journey. With a relaxed state of mind, drivers can respond more effectively to various situations on the road.

“I observe that during mudik season there are many accidents on average due to drowsiness or fatigue. So the most important thing about mudik is to enjoy the journey, and with that mindset the thinking is usually relaxed,” Sony told Kompas.com on Tuesday (17 March 2026).

“Get sufficient rest so your body remains fit in dealing with heavy traffic and intense sunlight,” he added.

Additionally, vehicles must be in prime condition and luggage should be appropriate to needs. This is important to avoid technical problems and excessive weight during the journey.

“Don’t be fixated on arriving at a specific time. Allow some tolerance—what matters is arriving safely,” Sony said.