Traffic: New law needed

In the name of all Jakarta residents in this fiftieth year of Indonesia's independence form the Netherlands, there is one piece of colonial law which must be removed and revised--the traffic laws. It is a law which daily forces most Jakarta residents to the limits of their sanity, whether they are a driver-owner, a owner-passenger or a passenger on public transport. It is a law which endangers their lives and causes them to waste enormous amounts of their precious working day.

This law is a straight unexpurgated lift from Dutch law (left- hand drive) without any consideration for the fact all the cars in Indonesia are right hand drive. This paradox derives from the fact that the first cars in Southeast Asia were from United Kingdom (right-hand drive).

As a result, Indonesian traffic law requires a driver to give way to his blind side or his off side, i.e. the left hand side. Yes, the side you cannot see clearly. Not many know that, even the traffic police. It is fortunate for most of us this point of law on the road is not pushed to the point where collision is inevitable. Fortunately, our insurance companies are unaware of this.

Perhaps in this special year it might be appropriate to set Indonesia's traffic laws straight and at the same time include some new regulations with regard to blocking intersections, suitable parking distances from intersections, appropriate pick- up points for public transport, etc.

Hopefully, the result would be smoother, speedier and safer traffic in Jakarta. We all need it making a more efficient city and thereby saving the government money and precious oil reserves.

T.C. SCOTT

Jakarta