I say to officers, if they encounter riders who still use (sandals while riding a motorbike), suggest them to improve their riding safety. There will be no traffic ticket issuanceJakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the Indonesian Police's Traffic Corps, Inspector General Firman Shantyabudi, has said that sandals must not be worn by residents while riding motorcycles to prevent serious injuries during accidents.
"I am sorry, I am not going to stress about wearing sandals, but sandals provide zero protection. If rider wears sandals while riding their motorbike (and they fall), their toe will have direct contact with the road asphalt, fire, or fuel. The faster their bike, the lower their protection will be, and that is a (cause for) fatality," Shantyabudi said here on Wednesday.
In response to information circulating that motorcycle riders who wear sandals will be sanctioned by police, he clarified that the Traffic Corps is only urging motorcyclists to wear safer footwear.
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He said that if police officers find motorcyclists wearing sandals, they will only inform the riders about road safety. No traffic ticket will be issued to the riders, he added.
"I say to officers, if they encounter riders who still use (sandals while riding a motorbike), suggest them to improve their riding safety. There will be no traffic ticket issuance," he said.
Traffic accidents involving residents traveling a short distance on their motorcycle are common, he highlighted.
"A resident may say, ‘Sir, I only travel a short distance, why must I (wear shoes) to buy tempeh in a market (close to my home),’ but accidents may still occur during their travel from their house to the market (on the road) that they pass every day, and no traffic accidents are deliberate," Shantyabudi explained.
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To maintain driving safety, he urged motorcycle riders to wear proper gear, such as helmets, shoes, and jackets, whether they are traveling short or long distances.
"We must exert our effort (to prevent accidents). It is a different story if God destines there is an accident, but indeed, we must exert effort to reduce fatalities by wearing safety apparatus, particularly for drivers of two-wheeled vehicles," the traffic corps head said.
Residents may need a long time to habituate themselves to wearing only shoes while riding motorcycles, he said while expressing the hope that people’s awareness to protect themselves by wearing appropriate biking gear will grow.
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Translator: Laily Rahmawaty, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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