More people buckling up a month after new policy: Police
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."