Over the last one-and-a-half months, the number of traffic accidents has soared, with no fewer than 100 accidents involving public buses, BPKN officials said in a press statement here on Tuesday.
This month, based upon media`s reports, BPKN documented 11 bus crashes that killed 37 people and injuring 113 others.
The data included the latest accident occurring in Majalengka, Central Java, last Sunday, Feb 12, resulting in three dead, four seriously wounded and 12 lightly injured.
BPKN officials said they regret that many bus passengers had become victims because of traffic accidents, despite enacting Law No. 8 on the Protection of Consumers.
Human factors and vehicle problems had played crucial roles in the accidents, it said. Most of the accidents were caused by drivers` poor behavior and vehicle brakes, said the agency, quoting media reports.
Therefore, the agency urged the government to pay more attention to issues concerning the driving license system, human resource management, and the public's welfare.
BPKN also urged public transportation companies to improve their driver recruitment systems and be more selective in hiring drivers.
It also asked the transportation ministry`s land transportation directorate to make an overall audit on land transportation systems, as well as the renewal of operators licenses.
Of note, public bus drivers often exceed the speed limit, it said. BPKN also calls on bus drivers to provide better services and give priority to the safety of passengers.
Meanwhile, police said traffic accidents in Indonesia in 2012 had been responsible for 1,547 fatalities.
"The figure is quite high and impressive, as in two months there had been 9,884 cases, 1,547 fatalities, 2,562 who were heavily injured, and 7,564 lightly injured," head of the police public relations division, Inspector General Saud Usman Nasution, said in Jakarta Monday.
Also, most of the traffic accidents involved 9,595 motorcycles, 1,357 public minivans, 207 city buses, and 443 cargo trucks, he said.
(Uu.F001/INE)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
