"Those who join the exodus really need to prepare themselves well, especially those who will be driving long distances, because the facts have shown that the farther the distance of the exodus, the higher the potential for accidents," he said while visiting the Kalikangkung Toll Road Gate here on Tuesday.
Based on government monitoring, the highest numbers of traffic accidents during last year's Eid exodus period were recorded in East Java, Central Java, and West Java, he informed.
According to him, by bringing a backup driver, families will be able to travel more safely and comfortably because the drivers will be able to take turns driving.
Regarding rest areas, he advised people not to use them for a long time because they are places for exodus travelers to buy food or access a toilet.
Then, he also asked people to perform prayers inside their vehicles on the way instead of rest areas.
The minister highlighted that travelers must prioritize their safety during the journey.
"We all are striving to minimize the number of accidents, especially the fatal ones, during the exodus," he stressed.
He further noted that the use of non-toll roads in Central Java has been deemed quite good so the government could make a good strategy when the one-way traffic policy is implemented on the exodus flow.
For this year's Eid al-Fitr, the government has projected that the number of Eid exodus travelers will reach 123 million, based on a survey of potential people's movement during the Eid period.
The figure reflects an increase compared to the number of exodus travelers in 2022, which stood at 85 million.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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