More people buckling up a month after new policy: Police

Evi Mariani, Jakarta

The Jakarta Police have revealed that, a month after seat belts were made mandatory on May 5, the number of drivers and front- seat passengers wearing seat belts continued rise, particularly according to data gathered from the capital's main thoroughfares.

"Our conclusion that the number of those observing the new regulation is growing is based on our observation at several key points," city police traffic head Sr. Comr. Sulistyo Ishak said on Saturday. "Even on minor roads, the number of drivers and passengers wearing seat belts is quite encouraging."

The third day after the regulation was enforced, police reported that around 80 percent of drivers and front-seat passengers had buckled up.

Some drivers have maintained the regulation consistently -- but for reasons aside from safety.

"Since the regulation was implemented, I have been wearing a seat belt every time I drive. It's not for safety, but more because I fear being pulled over by the police," said Ferdi, an information technology consultant who works on Jl. Sudirman, Central Jakarta.

He added that although he had yet to see any advantages in buckling up, he did not object it.

Law No. 14/1992 on traffic stipulates that drivers and front- seat passengers of private cars and taxis are required to wear seat belts, and violators will be fined a maximum Rp 1 million (US$106) or face one month in prison.

Six years after the endorsement of the law, the government planned to make seat belts mandatory, but bowed to public objection.

The government launched a trial run of the policy on Nov. 5, 2003, and owners of old vehicles not equipped with seat belts were given until Nov. 5, 2005 to install them.

Rudy, an interior designer, however, had a different opinion.

"Wearing seat belts rather constrains my movement. Yet, I wear it every time I drive, as I don't want the police to fine me.

"Actually, I have seen that the traffic police are more lenient about seat belt violations compared to the three-in-one," he said. "Still, I don't want to take the risk of being pulled over. I wear a seat belt all the time."

He said before the implementation, he only occasionally buckled up when driving along a toll road or going out of town.

"Speed limits on the toll road and inter-city roads are usually higher, so I feel safer if I wear a seat belt," he said.

Taxi drivers, however, have yet to comply with the regulation: They argued that the seat belts limited their movement and the police had yet to take harsh measures against violators.

"We are safe from fines. At night, when there are less policemen around, I don't wear a seat belt," said taxi driver Sugondo. "But I do remind myself to wear one whenever I go on the toll road."