Why Do Indonesian Drivers Still Struggle with Road Discipline?

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Cutting into toll queues via the shoulder lane, entering bus rapid transit corridors, and recklessly driving against traffic at railway crossings are daily realities on Indonesian roads. Outside cities, vehicles often cut across opposing lanes to bypass queues. The question is, why do Indonesian drivers consistently struggle with road discipline? Is this an inherent trait, or are there other factors shaping this selfish ecosystem?

‘My society does not pay attention to empathy. Secondly, there is a lack of understanding of traffic rules. This complicates the situation,’ Jusri told Kompas.com on Friday, 29 May 2026.

According to Jusri, in developed countries, order is maintained organically without strict enforcement by law enforcement because the foundation is mutual respect.

‘In foreign or developed countries, the strength lies in empathy to avoid bottlenecks. There is no problem. Even without officers, they drive in an orderly manner,’ he said.

When at Changi Airport, Indonesians suddenly become very compliant with rules. They queue neatly and use escalators correctly. However, a stark contrast occurs immediately upon landing back in Indonesia.

‘The same person heading to Jakarta, once they arrive at Cengkareng (Soekarno-Hatta Airport), there are escalators too. It’s already chaotic. We see the same people doing that,’ Jusri said.

The answer lies in the strictness of the legal system. In Singapore, rules are enforced uniformly with severe penalties. In Indonesia, regulations are often seen as flexible and negotiable.

‘When Indonesians here think, “ah, easy, I’ll call my brother, my uncle, my acquaintance”, everything falls apart. So it’s quite difficult,’ Jusri explained.