Traffic Chief Reveals Peak Mudik Flow is Quite Dense but Remains Moving
JAKARTA - The peak of the 2026 Lebaran mudik flow, predicted to occur on H-2 Lebaran or the evening of Wednesday (18 March 2026), was quite dense, but traffic flow was claimed to remain moving and controlled.
National Police Traffic Corps Chief Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho stated that the peak flow determination was based on direct field monitoring of vehicle movements on toll roads and arterial routes.
“Compared to Tuesday 17 March 2026, there was an increase in vehicle volume. On Tuesday 17 March 2026, it was around 221,000 vehicles, and on Wednesday evening (18 March 2026), it is projected to reach about 250,000 vehicles. The conditions are indeed quite dense, but still moving. The mudik peak flow is estimated to occur on Wednesday evening (Wednesday 18 March 2026),” said Agus in his statement on Thursday (19 March 2026).
Agus said that since Wednesday morning until evening, vehicle volume was monitored to have experienced a significant increase.
Agus explained that the implementation of the national one-way system starting from Wednesday at 12:30 WIB until the Central Java region managed to maintain the smoothness of vehicle flow on the main mudik routes.
In addition, Central Java also implemented a local one-way from KM 414 towards Bawen to ease density in that area.
“With the implementation of the national one-way starting from Wednesday 18 March 2026 at 12:30 WIB until the Central Java region, the flow conditions are monitored to be quite controlled,” he said.
Besides toll roads, an increase in vehicle volume also occurred on arterial routes.
However, traffic flow remained relatively smooth despite slowdowns at several points.
“From the aspects of arterial roads, tolls, and ports, all are in controlled conditions. The Merak–Bakauheni crossing is also monitored to be smooth,” he revealed.
From a safety perspective, the National Police recorded a positive trend in the form of a decrease in traffic accident fatality rates during the mudik flow.
According to Agus, the number of fatalities from accidents dropped by around 40 percent compared to the previous period.
This decline is considered the result of the optimisation of field security, the provision of service posts, and the use of information technology in supporting mudik smoothness.
“This shows that the state’s efforts through security posts, service posts, and mudik information technology support have been well utilised by the public,” he said.
Agus also reminded mudik travellers to remain cautious during their journeys to arrive at their destinations safely.
“We urge all mudik travellers to remain careful on the road. Mudik is a journey full of joy and longing for family in the hometown, and we hope that all the public can return safely,” he concluded.