Tough traffic law largely ignored

Tough traffic law largely ignored

JAKARTA (JP): The 1992 Traffic Law with its tough penalties has not had the desired effect in instilling discipline among motorists, Minister of Transportation Haryanto Dhanutirto says.

The law, which came into effect in September 1993, "has not brought about any significant change in traffic conditions, in terms of discipline and order, and in terms of administrative procedures," Haryanto told a hearing with Commission V of the House of Representatives yesterday.

In fact, the number of traffic violations increased in 1994 to 1,764,055 from 1,431,273 in 1993. The number of accidents declined slightly in 1994 to 17,291 with 10,828 deaths compared to 17,323 accidents and 10,038 deaths, he said. The total material losses from these accidents amounted to Rp 15.72 billion ($7.14 million) in 1994, up from Rp 14.71 billion in 1993.

"These figures indicate that we should all work even harder, and we're counting on the help of the House, to bring traffic order," Haryanto said. "We fully realize that it takes time and that it will be a lengthy process to reach the ideal traffic conditions."

The traffic law imposes harsher penalties than previously. Because they were so much stiffer, the government decided to introduce the penalties in phases in the face of strong public opposition to the law. (icn/emb)