Toll roads subject to traffic law

Toll roads subject to traffic law

JAKARTA (JP): City police began enforcing the 1992 Traffic Law in full on toll roads on Saturday, which means violators could be punished with stiff penalties under the legislation.

Col. Djuari Sis Ardianto of the National Police announced the move on Friday. He said that motorists' discipline is of utmost importance on toll roads because they are prone to accidents that could be fatal.

Djuari said that among the most frequent violations found on toll roads was driving on the shoulder of the road, driving over the maximum speed limit, or under the minimum speed limit, overtaking from the left lane, or driving in the fast lane too long. Other frequent violations include loading and unloading near the toll gates.

Officers posted at toll gates will also be reminding drivers and front seat passengers to use their safety belts.

He added that the decision to enforce the 1992 law was taken because toll roads are considered a good place to discipline and educate drivers, given their clear and frequent road signs, Pos Kota reported on Saturday.

The 1992 law sets the maximum penalty for traffic violators at Rp 6 million, well above the Rp 150,000 set in the current penalty scale.

The city government has already enforced the law in full on Jakarta's main roads since the start of the month, and so far the results have been encouraging, with fewer accidents reported in the first week. The authorities now plan to phase in the legislation so that all parts of the city will be subject to the law by Aug. 17 this year. (mas)