Model driver contest aimed at improving discipline

JAKARTA (JP): Awards will continue to be presented to exemplary drivers to improve their sense of discipline on the road and help ease traffic jams in the city, a police official has said.

Head of the Jakarta Traffic Police Col. Arsyan Roem said the city's traffic jams were mostly caused by undisciplined drivers.

"We believe that such awards may reduce traffic jams in the city," Arsyan said at the model driver award ceremony, held by the city police in cooperation with Dai-ichi Hotel over the weekend. The ceremony coincided with the 50th anniversary of the police force.

Arsyan said that the 27 drivers taking part in the contest were selected by their companies before a contest committee began testing them.

The contestants, who are bus and taxi drivers, should pass a written test, psychology test and simulator test, he said

"With several objective tests, I'm sure they are really good drivers," he added.

On Thursday night, three taxi drivers and three bus drivers were chosen as the best drivers. Widi Riyanto and Sutiyono of Blue Bird taxi and M. Yamin of Kosti Jaya taxi were awarded as the first, second and third best taxi drivers respectively. The first, second and third best bus drivers were Suyatno of Mayasari Bakti, Haryanto of Bianglala and Supodo of PPD bus, respectively.

Contest

Aip Syarifuddin, chairman of the City Land Transportation Organization (Organda), said the winners will be suggested as candidates for a similar contest to be held by the city administration and the organization.

"The contest will be held in July, and the national-level contest will be in August," he said.

Arsyan expressed thankfulness to private company Dai-ichi for its support of the driver contest.

"I hope there will be more companies supporting this kind of contest," he said.

Dai-ichi's general manager, Toshio Yamada, said the hotel's management is interested in sponsoring the city in the enforcement of the national discipline movement.

Widi, the best taxi driver, said that he will improve his discipline on the roads, adding that he has been working at Blue Bird for seven years.

Suyatno, the best bus driver, said that the lack of discipline among drivers stems from their low-educational backgrounds.

Suyanto, a high school graduate, has been working for Mayasari Bhakti for 12 years.

Both Widi and Suyatno will use their prize money of Rp 1 million (US$425) each for their children's education. Widi has three children, while Suyatno has one son. (jun)