Traffic laws to be strictly enforced
JAKARTA (JP): City police announced yesterday that they will strictly enforce traffic regulations on selected roads in and around the city beginning January.
Traffic offenders ticketed in the selected areas are required to attend trials for their offenses.
Traffic police will no longer have the right to set fine amounts based on the current scale as the fines will now be determined by judges.
The decision was taken in a coordinating meeting led by City Police chief Maj. Gen. Mochammad Hindarto at police headquarters here yesterday, city police spokesman Lt. Col. Bambang Haryoko told reporters after the meeting.
The meeting was attended by city senior officers from the police, Public Works Office, Traffic and Land Transportation Control (DLLAJ) Office, the prosecutors and court offices.
Signs announcing the new enforcement policies, locally named Kawasan Tertib Lalu Lintas, have already been installed on the city's main thoroughfares of Jl. Sudirman and Jl. Thamrin, although no real action has been carried out yet.
In Central Jakarta, the vigil will be carried out on Jl. Taman Suropati, Jl. Teuku Umar, Jl. Cut Meutia, Jl. Menteng Raya to Jl. Ridwan Rais, while in North Jakarta, only Jl. Yos Sudarso is affected.
In East Jakarta, the enforcement will cover part of Jl. Matraman (in front of the Bethel church) and Jl. Pramuka and in South Jakarta on Jl. Fatmawati and Jl. Panglima Polim.
In West Jakarta, it will be imposed on Jl. S. Parman.
Travelers in Tangerang should watch themselves on Jl. Daan Mogot, beginning from the tip of the road next to Jl. Ki Samaun to the T-junction of Tanah Tinggi.
In Bekasi, motorists should beware of Jl. Achmad Yani and on Jl. Margonda Raya in Depok.
According to spokesman Bambang, the police will launch a massive one-month campaign to help introduce the new traffic regulations beginning Dec. 3.
According to Bambang, traffic violators -- regardless of their status -- are no longer allowed representation as permitted under the current traffic system.
Under the traffic law number 14 issued two years ago, the maximum fine is Rp 6 million (US$2,745).
Up to now, the city authorities have temporarily lowered the fine to between Rp 10,000 and Rp 150,000 per case, except for those related to serious damage and fatalities.
Due to protests over the shortage of supporting facilities, the poor quality of roads and poor-design of traffic signs, related offices, such as the city agency for Public Work office and the DLLAJ, are planning to improve and provide additional facilities and signs, Bambang added. (bsr)