Toll road shoulders not for resting – their true purpose explained

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The misuse of toll road shoulders in Indonesia continues to be common, with drivers using them as alternative lanes for overtaking or resting during mudik season when rest areas are overcrowded. Stopping on toll road shoulders without a medical or technical emergency is strictly prohibited due to the high risk of fatal accidents. Jakarta Defensive Driving Consulting (JDDC) founder Jusri Pulubuhu stressed that the primary function of toll road shoulders is solely for emergency use. Pulubuhu added that the high rate of rear-end collisions in Indonesia is closely linked to drivers’ bad habit of misusing these areas. “Why are there so many rear-end collisions? Many incidents occur because drivers frequently use the shoulder for overtaking,” he said. If there is a grassy area beside the toll road, evacuate passengers to a spot five to ten metres away from the shoulder.