Many Vehicles Stopping on the Shoulder of the Road, Causing Severe Traffic Jam on Cipali Toll Road

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The long traffic jam that occurred on the Cipali Toll Road on Thursday night (26/3/2026) was not solely caused by a surge in vehicle volume. Factors related to drivers’ behaviour in the field actually became the main trigger for the slowdown in traffic flow. Based on statements from the toll road operator, many vehicles were observed stopping on the shoulder of the road, thereby disrupting the smooth flow of traffic on the main lane. “Regarding the traffic conditions on the Cipali Toll Road section last night, we identified that the main cause of the slowdown was the increasing number of vehicles stopping on the shoulder of the road,” said Ardam to Kompas.com on Friday (27/3/2026). He explained that several vehicles experienced engine problems after travelling a long distance from the east towards Jakarta. In addition, physical fatigue also caused many drivers to choose to stop suddenly to rest, either on the shoulder of the road or when about to enter a rest area. As a result, traffic flow became congested and density was unavoidable, especially at points with high stopping activity.