Police step up driver education to deter driving the wrong way in East Jakarta

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Traffic Unit (Satlantas) of the East Jakarta Metropolitan Resort Police (Polres Metro Jakarta Timur) does not only enforce against drivers who drive in the wrong direction, but also steps up education to the public to promote more orderly traffic.

“We not only conduct enforcement, but also issue warnings and educate drivers about the dangers of riding a motorcycle or car against the flow,” said the Head of Operations Division (KBO) of Satlantas Polres Metro Jakarta Timur, AKP Eko Apriyanto, at Jalan DI Panjaitan, East Jakarta, on Thursday.

Violations of driving against the flow are still often found at several points in the East Jakarta area (Jaktim). Therefore, in addition to enforcement, they also provide direct education to drivers.

According to Eko, educating the public is one of the important steps to raise drivers’ awareness of obeying traffic rules.

“Because in the past, we have seen most of them when we fine them or give education they say ‘don’t know the road’, that’s why they drive against the flow or want to shorten the time to reach quickly,” he said.

In his explanation, Eko told violators that driving against traffic is one of the very dangerous violations on the road.

This action not only breaches the rules but can also trigger traffic accidents with a risk of causing casualties.

Drivers who drive against the flow often take the lanes that should be used by vehicles from the opposite direction.

Besides endangering themselves, drivers who drive against the flow can also threaten the safety of other road users, including motorcyclists, car drivers, and pedestrians.

The risk of accidents becomes higher, especially on roads with dense traffic.

In addition to giving education directly in the field, the police also coordinates with the Department of Transportation to install signs prohibiting driving against the flow at hotspots of violations.

This step is expected to remind drivers to be more disciplined when driving on the roads.

“Hopefully the public will become more aware and comply with traffic regulations so road safety can be maintained,” he said.

A row of two- and four-wheeled vehicles crowded the stretch of road towards Jatinegara. Many heavy goods vehicles or lorries also pass along that road.

In the middle of the congestion, several motorcyclists and even cars appear to be reckless as they take the opposite direction.

They use gaps between vehicles to cross, even though vehicles from the opposite direction keep arriving.

Police officers on duty continue to enforce against drivers who are still stubborn about driving in the opposite direction.