TransJakarta Driver in 'Sky Corridor' Collision Faces One Year in Prison

The TransJakarta bus driver involved in a head-on collision on the elevated route, known as the ‘sky corridor’, in Cipulir, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, faces a potential one-year prison sentence. Police confirmed that both drivers have been detained and are undergoing intensive examination.

“Both drivers have been secured at the Traffic Law Enforcement Sub-directorate in Pancoran,” Jakarta Metropolitan Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto told reporters on Tuesday (24 January).

According to Budi, the incident could warrant the application of Article 310 Paragraph 2 of the Traffic and Road Transport Act, concerning negligence resulting in an accident with minor injuries.

“The suspect could be charged under Article 310 Paragraph 2 of the Traffic and Road Transport Act for negligence causing an accident resulting in minor injuries, which carries a maximum prison sentence of one year,” Budi said.

He explained that the article could be applied if the element of negligence is proven, including allegations that the driver fell asleep whilst driving. The investigation is still ongoing.

“That is correct. The examination process is still underway,” Budi said when asked whether the charge could be applied to the driver identified by the initial Y, who reportedly fell asleep.

The incident involved two Corridor 13 TransJakarta buses and left dozens of passengers injured.

Jakarta Metropolitan Police Traffic Directorate’s Law Enforcement Sub-division head, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Ojo Ruslani, explained that the accident occurred at approximately 07.15 Western Indonesian Time on Monday (23 February).

The collision involved a TransJakarta Bianglala bus driven by Y, travelling from Kebayoran towards Cipulir, and a TransJakarta Mayasari Bakti bus driven by A, travelling in the opposite direction.

Based on the preliminary investigation, Y admitted to having fallen asleep whilst driving, causing the vehicle to swerve into the opposing lane.

“Y admitted to falling asleep whilst driving, resulting in the vehicle entering the opposing lane and causing a head-on collision,” Ojo said in his statement.