Why drivers ignore traffic signs

By Multa Fidrus

JAKARTA (JP): When the traffic light turns right, he sometimes does not stop; but he often stops at busy intersections or where a no-stopping sign is displayed.

Herman, 29, a driver of a public minivan serving the Kampung Melayu-Pasar Minggu route, acknowledged that he had violated traffic regulations many times. He realizes that he has often caused traffic congestion when stopping on a busy street to wait for passengers, but he refused to take the blame.

"Passengers are usually reluctant to get into the van at the right place since they are too lazy to walk," he told The Jakarta Post while waiting for passengers at Cawang Bawah intersection, East Jakarta. He did not move his vehicle, even when the light turned green.

Herman blamed the passengers, saying they played the main role in prompting public transportation drivers to violate traffic regulations.

"They stop minivans at any place for practical reasons, while we are looking for money and we don't want to lose them. That's why we pick them up from wherever they wait," said the father of three children.

He said not only him, but many other drivers did the same thing when there was no police officer around.

He said he had been ticketed by the police several times for breaking traffic rules.

However, he was not afraid, and said he did not even have to go to the police station.

"There is a middleman specializing in dealing with the matter, to the return of our driver's license when it is held by the police," he said, adding that he just needed to tell him at which police substation his driver's license was being held.

He pays Rp 10,000 for the service.

Slamet, 38, a driver of a Metromini bus plying the Pasar Minggu-Cililitan route, said he had been repeatedly ticketed and had no problem in getting his driver's license back. He displayed no guilt, saying that all urban public transportation drivers were the same. He and other drivers always stop and wait for passengers at a narrow interchange after passing the railway crossing near Kalibata Railway Station in South Jakarta, where a no-stopping sign stands.

"We are waiting for passengers from the trains," he said, adding that there were no police at the site.

Vehicles behind the buses are unable to move. Sometimes motorists get stuck on the railway crossing -- a very dangerous position to be in as a train can pass at any time.

Violations of traffic regulations happen in all parts of the city. Mustofa, 44, a Metromini bus driver, always stops and waits for passengers at the traffic light across from the East Jakarta Police station on Jl. Matraman, while police officers turn a blind eye to the situation.

Half of Jl. Matraman is occupied by street vendors, so there is only one lane left for motorists heading toward Jatinegara from Jl. Matraman. Since Metromini buses and minivans heading to destinations in East Jakarta from the Kampung Melayu bus terminal stop and wait for passengers there, heavy traffic congestion happens daily.

Mustofa said the traffic light was the most strategic point to wait for passengers boarding his bus. Another spot where Metromini bus drivers frequently wait for passengers is the traffic light at Prumpung intersection near the Jatinegara Railway Station, he said.

Iswadi, 49, a driver of a bus serving the Kampung Melayu- Grogol route in West Jakarta, seldom pulls over to the side of the road to pick up or drop off passengers.

"It takes more time to stop on the roadside. Yet, I have never been ticketed by the police for doing so," he told the Post while driving the bus.

While there are obviously undisciplined passengers who stop buses anywhere and a lack of bus stops in the city, Meizir, 41, a commuter who always uses public transportation, complained about drivers' attitude.

"They usually argue that they have to rush in order to get money to cover the bus rental when they violate regulations, but they intend to break the law anyway," said Meizir, who lives in Rawabunga subdistrict, East Jakarta.

He also blames public transportation companies who never upgrade their drivers' skills.

He suggested that the police cooperate with operators of public transportation to regularly run courses for drivers in a bid to improve their discipline and awareness of the rights of other road users.

Meanwhile, a Mobile Brigade police officer assigned to help direct traffic in front of the East Jakarta Police Headquarters said last weekend that both public transportation drivers and commuters were equally at fault.

"They both just want everything easy and practical without considering the impact of their deeds," said the second inspector, who asked not to be named.

He said that the behavior of drivers and commuters "complimented" each other.

"If passengers waited for public vehicles at designated stops, drivers would follow them.

"If drivers did not stop at inappropriate places, passengers would move to the right place," he said.

"It is impossible for the police to watch drivers all the time. Police control is no solution, but improving the drivers and holding discipline campaigns for the community may help improve their discipline and awareness," he said.

He said nothing about unscrupulous traffic police officers who take bribes from undisciplined drivers, which also does not help curb traffic violations.