'Safety awareness governs seat belt use'

A total of 235 drivers were ticketed by the city police on the first day of the enforcement of seat belt use on Wednesday. The long-delayed regulation, which was supposed to take effect in 1998, requires drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts. Violators could be fined up to Rp 1 million (US$115.6) or jailed for a month. The Jakarta Post talked to some residents on the issue.

Evy Zelfino, 45, is an official with the city administration. She lives on Jl. Petukangan Utara, South Jakarta:

Wearing a seat belt could prevent an accident from being fatal. We cannot predict when an accident will happen. Many motorists are yet to realize the importance of seat belts.

The number of fatalities from traffic accidents has continuously increased. Therefore, we must act quickly to save lives.

I agree the police should ticket motorists who violate the law. Although, in the long run, people will wear seat belts when drivers develop an awareness of their own safety.

Danang Widoyoko, 35, is an activist with an anti-corruption non-governmental organization. He lives on Jl. Kalibata Timur, South Jakarta:

The effort to implement the mandatory wearing of seat belts have not been strong enough. The regulation only requires drivers and front seat passengers of private cars and taxies to wear them.

The government must also take into consideration the safety of public transportation passengers, like those aboard city buses. Will all seats in buses be equipped with seat belts? How about bus crew here who mostly stand in the door?

The government has a long way to go before road safety regulations are strictly enforced.

-- The Jakarta Post