National Police Urge Returning Travellers to Use Rest Areas to Prevent Traffic Accidents

Jakarta — Indonesia’s National Police Traffic Directorate (Korlantas Polri) has urged Lebaran holiday travellers (pemudik) to utilise rest areas to take breaks and prevent traffic accidents.

The appeal was made by Brigadier General Pol. Faizal, Director of Law Enforcement at Korlantas Polri, following a 4.8 per cent increase in traffic accident cases on the second day of Operation Ketupat 2026 on Saturday 14 March, compared with the same period in 2025.

“We urge all holiday travellers not to overexert themselves, manage their emotions, and use the rest areas available along both motorways and arterial roads as places to rest,” said Faizal at the Command Centre at kilometre 92 in Bekasi, West Java, early on Sunday morning.

Regarding rest areas, he noted that all police regional commands have established security posts and integrated service centres available for travellers to rest.

“This is excellent, and we hope to maintain it. The public should also realise that with these fatalities, they will be more careful,” he added.

The one-star police general further revealed that East Java has been a major contributor to traffic accident cases. In response, police have intervened to ensure traffic police in East Java implement mitigation measures.

“Because the number of holiday travellers heading towards the eastern region is still quite substantial,” he said.

He also instructed field personnel to increase patrols on motorways, arterial roads, and locations prone to traffic accidents. Additionally, he requested that officers provide safety warnings to the public to remain vigilant.

“After all, safety is the top priority during the Lebaran holiday period,” he concluded.