National Police Chief Reveals Peak Accident Hours and Primary Causes of Holiday Travel Crashes

Jakarta – Amid reports of declining accident figures during the Lebaran holiday exodus, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo has warned of persistent dangers facing returning travellers.

A key concern identified is the dangerous hours when accidents most frequently occur, particularly from early morning through to midday. According to the National Police’s Accident Analysis and Evaluation (Anev Laka), the period between 9am and 12 noon represents the highest-risk interval for road incidents.

“Although accident numbers fell by 31.43 per cent, fatalities dropped 53.24 per cent, serious injuries decreased 7.19 per cent, and minor injuries fell 27.85 per cent,” said Sigit on Tuesday, 3 March 2026.

Despite the positive trend, he stressed that significant work remains to achieve further reductions in accident rates.

“However, there are still dangerous hours that we must anticipate so that accident numbers can be further reduced. The highest incident rate occurs between 9am and 12 noon, with 532 accidents recorded,” he stated.

These figures serve as a critical warning for both authorities and the public, given that this timeframe typically coincides with when travellers resume their journeys after rest breaks. Beyond the time factor, accident causes have also been clearly identified. From the analysis of thousands of incidents, driver negligence remains the dominant factor.

“The primary cause is failure to maintain safe distances, with 1,156 cases recorded, followed by inattention to traffic ahead,” he explained.

Beyond negligence, the increase in vehicle speeds during the holiday period is also a concern. Records show that average vehicle speeds increased from 76 km/h in 2024 to 85 km/h in 2025, representing a 12.44 per cent rise.

“This increase may be partly due to higher speeds. However, on the other hand, some travellers who are already tired and drowsy continue driving, which leads to accidents,” he added.

The combination of excessive speed and driver fatigue is considered a serious risk factor during peak holiday migration periods.

The National Police Chief has stressed that these findings will inform a comprehensive evaluation in preparation for the 2026 holiday exodus. Road safety awareness campaigns are to be intensified to minimise accident rates as much as possible.