'What's the benefit of clearer windows?'
In support of the busway, the city administration has drafted a new three-in-one traffic policy along the busway corridor. To help police enforce this policy, the administration will pass a new regulation lowering the opacity limit for tinted car windows to 30 percent from the currently allowed 60 percent. The Jakarta Post talked to some city residents about this issue.
Yenny, 26, is a store manager in Glodok, West Jakarta. She lives with her parents in Bojong, West Jakarta:
I think the policy to lower the opacity limit for tinted windows is ridiculous, as it will not help people follow the three-in-one policy. Moreover, it will only harm drivers.
The police shouldn't be afraid that they'll be cheated by dark windows. Drivers wouldn't do that, as the main purpose of having tinted window is to be safe and to protect yourself from being robbed.
The policy will only create trouble for drivers as they will be more vulnerable to robbers, who often hang out by traffic lights.
The clearer the windows the more at risk drivers are, because robbers can look through the windows and see who and what is inside the car. Dark windows don't guarantee drivers will be safe, but clear windows certainly won't help them.
Susan, 30, works at a law office on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta. She lives with her parents in Depok, south of Jakarta:
In my opinion, every regulation, including traffic rules, are supposed to be made in favor of the public. In this case, the city administration passed a policy requiring clearer car windows just to help police check that motorists entering the three-in- one zone are obeying traffic rules.
People tint their windows to protect themselves from the glare from the sun, not to make the city administration look stupid.
As there is no "win-win solution" here, motorists will certainly find a way to score a "win" over the policy by hiring joki as passengers, for example, clear windows or not.
Unless the administration allows city residents to become involved in the making of regulations, none of the regulations will be effective.
--The Jakarta Post