Road Crossing Ethics: A Worrying Reflection of the Nation's Character

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - There is a proverb that says if you want to see the progress of a nation, look at how its people cross the road. In Indonesia, the reality on the ground often shows a failing grade in terms of ethics and collective awareness. Traffic jams that descend into chaos during road repairs, for example, are not merely technical issues of lane narrowing. Founder and Training Director of Jakarta Defensive Driving Consulting (JDDC) Jusri Pulubuhu explains that behaviour on the roads is the culmination of a person’s true character in everyday life. “If we want to see a nation, just look at how it behaves on the roads. Character is already visible. People who are undisciplined, corrupt, corruptors, those seeking attention—all of it is reflected in how we conduct ourselves on the roads,” Jusri told Kompas.com recently. Jusri added that the widespread lack of discipline indicates that queuing culture and ethics have not yet become a necessity for Indonesian society. This is exacerbated by the loss of empathy. “Empathy culture is not our culture, right? Young people cut in line without considering ethics. Whereas abroad, people realise that queuing culture is a necessity. In the context of road behaviour, it will make comfort and safety levels high,” said Jusri. According to him, this bad behaviour is not only the responsibility of drivers behind the wheel. For those who use drivers’ services but allow their drivers to act anarchically, the vehicle owners have the same mentality. “If the driver is allowed to do that, it means they are the same. Why don’t they forbid it? This is with their knowledge. Entering the shoulder of the road, cutting in, turning on strobe lights. That’s a reflection of their everyday lives,” Jusri stated. This chaotic road condition also has a direct impact on economic losses. Wasted fuel to lost time is the high price that must be paid due to indiscipline. “Many outsiders see our culture as laughable. Because the majority of our behaviour is dominated by impolite attitudes. Yet, the correlation of this severe congestion is a huge economic loss,” he said.