Sense behind the wheel

L. Shaw (Absurd acts of obstruction, Feb. 20, 1999) makes a good point. Drivers who thrust ahead, a few inches at a time, into an area which is already blocked with traffic are not only irresponsible, they are just plain stupid. Ms. Shaw is right to suggest one's driver should be restrained from doing as others do, but how many drivers have alongside them somebody to restrain them? Precious few, I suspect. The answer, which I have suggested in correspondence over the past decade, is a square of crisscross lines at major, trouble-spot intersections, which must not be entered until there is a clear exit on the other side.

This system was introduced in Britain (and no doubt in many other countries) many years ago, and works extremely well. It does not call for a degree of self-discipline and common sense on the part of drivers, which are perhaps not characteristics of the average Indonesian driver, but given a couple of police officers on duty at each intersection, it might work. At least, it is surely worth a try.

RB SAWREY-COOKSON

Jakarta