'Safety awareness governs seat belt use'

'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