Signs, signs everywhere signs!
Signs, signs everywhere signs!
JAKARTA (JP): Jak Jaunt may be content to laze in the back of a cab, oblivious to the traffic around him. But he is missing a lot. Jakarta's traffic signs are an endless source of excitement.
Having an international driver's license doesn't mean you will grasp the intricacies of driving in Jakarta. Not only because the roads are poor and crowded -- other big cities are even worse -- but because you will certainly face unique traffic signs. Signs you actually have to read.
A "No entry" sign is universally understood as prohibiting you from driving pass the sign. In Jakarta, however, you must take a good look at it. It could state that you are one of the lucky ones who are allowed to enter. Under the round sign board you may find a postscript explaining khusus kendaraan umum, meaning only commercially-operated vehicles are prohibited from entering. You are allowed.
One of my friends, an expatriate, commented, "Jakarta is a sign paradise. But, who has got the time to read them? By the time you figure out what a sign means, you're in trouble."
He was once caught by a traffic attendant for blocking an intersection. He spent too much time reading the sign and did not notice the heavy traffic behind him.
Jakarta's traffic signs are confusing. Take, for instance, the Melawai-Panglima Polim intersection at Blok M in South Jakarta. Here, there are so many traffic regulations that it takes a while until you can proceed without making any mistakes. If you are coming from Jalan Sisingamangaraja, you will notice four signs. On your left a sign states that you can turn left without waiting for the green light. On your right two other signs compete for your attention. One explains that you have to turn left if you are going to Jalan Panglima Polim Raya between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. The other one prohibits U-turns and termasuk ke arah Bulungan (turns in the direction of Bulungan). Unless you live around the Blok M area, you won't understand the postscript.
But that's not all. Right in front of you, there is a "No Entry" sign with an additional condition: 07:00 - 10:00 kecuali bis kota/hari libur. If your Bahasa Indonesia is limited, you'd wonder what kind of vehicle a Hari Libur is. It means holiday, but what do holidays have to do with traffic? The information on the sign discloses that, unless it is a holiday, you are prohibited from entering the road between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. unless, of course, you happen to be driving a city bus.
Right in front of the State Palace, there is a sign with an even longer explanation: Pukul 06:30 - 10:00 Kecuali: Berpenumpang 3 orang/lebih/mobil penumpang umum/sepeda motor/hari libur.
Even with fluent Indonesian, you need to stop a second to swallow it all. I don't guarantee that, while trying to digest it all, you won't be hit by a car speeding up behind you.
-- Carl Chairul