South Sumatra Traffic Directorate Urges Homebound Travellers Not to Overtake on Eastern Trans-Sumatra Route

Palembang (ANTARA) — The Traffic Directorate (Ditlantas) of the South Sumatra Regional Police has urged motorists and homebound travellers not to engage in dangerous overtaking on the Eastern Trans-Sumatra road between Palembang and Jambi, in order to prevent traffic congestion and vehicle accidents.

South Sumatra Regional Police Traffic Director Commissioner Maesa Soegwiro, contacted in Palembang on Tuesday, said his office was appealing to travellers to maintain orderly driving at all times, keep a safe following distance, and set aside their egos to avoid overtaking manoeuvres that could cause accidents and traffic jams.

“We at the Traffic Directorate appeal to all those heading home to Sumatra to always drive in an orderly manner, maintain distance, and refrain from ego-driven overtaking that could result in accidents or congestion — your family is waiting for you back home,” he said.

He added that as part of the strategy to ease traffic flow on the Eastern Trans-Sumatra route between Palembang and Jambi, his directorate would establish a joint rapid-response team together with the South Sumatra Regional Police’s Samapta Directorate during the pre-Eid security operation.

“We are also still awaiting the functional opening of the Palembang–Betung toll road for this year’s 2026 homebound traffic season,” he said.

According to him, the toll road’s opening would have a very positive impact in reducing traffic density on the Eastern Trans-Sumatra route between Palembang and Jambi.

The Eastern Trans-Sumatra road through the Palembang–Banyuasin stretch is indeed the main arterial route connecting overland vehicles from outside Sumatra, such as those from Java, heading to the provinces of South Sumatra, Jambi, West Sumatra, North Sumatra, and as far as Aceh.

Meanwhile, the Class II Land Transport Management Agency (BPTD) of South Sumatra has previously banned heavy goods vehicles with three or more axles from transiting the area during the Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah homebound and return traffic period, specifically from 13 to 29 March 2026.

BPTD Class II South Sumatra head Nurhadi Unggul Wibowo said the restriction would be in effect from 13 March at 12:00 Western Indonesian Time through to 29 March at 24:00 Western Indonesian Time, covering both toll and non-toll road sections.

“This restriction is being implemented to ensure the smooth flow and safety of homebound and return Eid 2026 traffic,” he said.

He explained that the vehicles prohibited from transiting include goods vehicles with trailers or articulated carriages, vehicles carrying excavated materials such as sand, soil, and stone, mining products, and construction materials.