On driving in Jakarta

On driving in Jakarta

This is in response to Mr. Lance Fogg's letter Drivers in
Jakarta published in The Jakarta Post on Jan. 3, 1996.

Mr. Lance Fogg's missed the punchline in his interesting
account on Jakarta's traffic. While he rightly advises about
consideration for the fellow driver, he argues: "What have you
got to lose? Only a few minutes."

Now that is entirely mistaken. Both pedagogically and
practically. Nobody loses. Everybody wins! Whether 10 cars manage
to slip through a jammed junction or 100 cars cruise through a
clear junction makes a difference. The problem being that those
10 would have to recognize the greater claim of the 100, and
defer to the common good.

I enjoyed the part where Mr. Fogg's describes how the Jakarta
driver maneuvers to position his bumper marginally ahead of the
vehicle along side. I have noticed that too. It reminds me of the
swaggering Brazilian dance Lambada. What we want is the Tango.
Several quick steps in full speed. Stop. Enjoy the view (left,
right). And off we go again.

ROLAND LARSSON

Jakarta