Solving traffic jams

Everyday we complain and wonder why the government and experts have not yet found a way to reduce traffic jams in Jakarta.

Why don't we -- the readers of The Jakarta Post -- all offer suggestions?

Here are some ideas:

1. Drivers who commit a major offense, such as driving the wrong way down a one-way street or driving in the emergency lane of a highway, should have their driver's licenses taken away for a month and forced to take a test on traffic laws before being allowed to have their licenses back (not many will pass it). For the second major offense committed, motorists should have their licenses taken away for six months which would, in all probability, reduce the number of drivers on the road by at least a third.

2. Cars, buses and motorbikes emitting black polluting gases should not be allowed on the road until they fix their vehicles. That would further reduce the number of vehicles by another third, at least.

I am of course aware that besides disciplining drivers and vehicle owners, enforcing the traffic law will be difficult to do if drivers find a way out by bargaining with policemen, but I leave it to others to offer suggestions to remedy the problem.

OLIVIA REKSODIPOETRO

Jakarta