New traffic laws to be enforced on selected roads
New traffic laws to be enforced on selected roads
JAKARTA (JP): The City Police will enforce traffic rules on selected roads in Greater Jakarta under the stern traffic law No. 14/1992 beginning today.
"Any motorists found violating traffic regulations in the selected areas will be presented with a dated court summons," Head of the City Traffic Police Directorate Col. Soeroso told reporters yesterday.
Under the new system, locally called Kawasan Tertib Lalu Lintas, traffic offenders will appear before the courts and fined accordingly, based on the harsh ticketing fine scale which has a maximum fine of Rp 6 million (US$2,745).
The controversial traffic law No. 14 was issued two years ago but was not enforced until today. Under the new law, violators must appear at court themselves.
Previously, violators were punished under a lower ticketing fine scale ranging between Rp 10,000 and Rp 150,000 per case and were allowed have someone stand in for them at their trials.
"After being handed a citation by our personnel, traffic offenders may argue their cases and fines will be determined by the judges," said Soeroso, who was accompanied by City Police spokesman Lt. Col. Bambang Haryoko.
The previous system, which is still valid in many areas, allow on-duty police to determine the amount of fines without the case having to go to court.
"We hope road users obey the signs and instructions available even when there are no police around," Soeroso said, referring to many drivers who tend to follow the traffic rules only when police are present.
To help familiarize the public with the new regulations and before enforcing them city-wide, the police launched a massive one- month campaign on Dec. 3.
Area
The new regulations will be enforced on the city's main thoroughfares of Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin.
In Central Jakarta, the regulations will be enforced on Jl. Taman Suropati, Jl. Teuku Umar, Jl. Cut Meutia, Jl. Menteng Raya to Jl. Ridwan Rais, while in North Jakarta, only Jl. Yos Sudarso will be affected.
In East Jakarta, the enforcement will cover part of Jl. Matraman (in front of the Bethel church) and Jl. Pramuka, and in South Jakarta on Jl. Fatmawati and Jl. Panglima Polim.
In West Jakarta, it will be imposed on Jl. S. Parman.
Travelers in Tangerang should watch themselves on Jl. Daan Mogot, beginning from the tip of the road next to Jl. Ki Samaun to the T- junction of Tanah Tinggi.
In Bekasi, motorists will be watched on Jl. Achmad Yani, and on Jl. Margonda Raya in Depok.
During the press meeting yesterday, Soeroso also reminded motorists not to offer bribes to police officers in a bid to escape a citation.
"If bribes occur, both parties will be punished," he said.
Violators who are unable to attend their trials are expected to inform the court and set up an alternative date.
Violators - regardless of status - are required to attend court hearings. Failure to turn up will result in having their driver's license revoked.
The enforcement of the regulations, however, is feared to spark heated debate due to the lack of supporting facilities, the poor quality of roads and the poor-design of traffic signs. Moreover, many believe the fines will be much higher than the previous scale, although there has not been any confirmation from officers. The actual fines for particular offenses have not been released yet. (bsr)