"The fact that the number might cross the 1,000 mark is a worrying trend."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Latest data from the Indonesian police has revealed that the number of deaths resulting from accidents that took place during the Idul Fitri exodus this year has increased compared with the number of casualties in the same period last year.
Some 689 people have been killed in as many as 3,927 traffic accidents that occurred between August 11 and August 21, during which time more than 10 million holiday travelers headed home and later returned after celebrating the festival with their families and friends in their hometowns.
"The number of casualties has increased this year, compared with last year. 75.5 percent of the total deaths or as many as 518 people who died were traveling by motorbikes," National Police spokesman Brigadier General Boy Rafli Amar told the press on Thursday.
The number of the casualties rose by 10.29 percent from the 622 deaths that were reported in the same period last year, while the number of road accidents surged 3.97 percent from 3,777 in 2011. Of the 3,927 traffic accidents that took place this year, around 69.5 percent involved motorcycles.
Traffic accidents during this year`s Idul Fitri exodus seriously injured 1,093 people, and slightly wounded 3,750 others.
"Most of the accidents were caused by human errors, such as violating speed limits and traffic regulations, and undisciplined driving," Amar said.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono earlier had in fact instructed institutions to step up services and security measures for homebound travelers during the Idul Fitri exodus.
"Although the Idul Fitri exodus occurs annually and we have the required experience to secure and serve during that time, we must not consider it a routine activity," the head of state had said during a cabinet meeting at his office in early August.
If the exodus is considered routine, its handling will also tend to be casual, he had warned, calling for extra attention to be paid to travelers using motorbikes, in order to ensure their safety.
Most Idul Fitri travelers are expected to return to their workplaces in big cities such as Jakarta on Saturday and Sunday, and resume work on Monday.
As the majority of them will be returning at mostly the same time, heavy road traffic jams, which are likely to trigger traffic accidents, particularly involving motorcyclists, are expected.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Transportation Community (MTI) expects the number of casualties in the seven days following Idul Fitri to touch around 1,000.
"The fact that the number might cross the 1,000 mark is a worrying trend," Djoko Setijowarno of MTI told Media Indonesia.
He added that the high number of deaths in road accidents this year is also a result of police officers` lenient attitude towards undisciplined motorcyclists.
Commenting on the spike in the number of traffic accidents, Muhidin Mohammad Said, the deputy chairman of the House of Representatives (DPR)`s Commission V, asked the government on Thursday to manage the Idul Fitri exodus in a better way.
The Golkar party politician said he too expects an increase in the number of road accidents as tourists rush back to their places of work on Saturday and Sunday, so that they can resume their professional duties on Monday.
"The flow of returning travelers is increasing and they have limited time to make the journey, so the potential for road accidents becomes larger, especially for those traveling on motorbikes," he noted.
Said therefore requested the government to improve its arrangements for travelers heading towards Jakarta and other big cities.
The authorities should also ensure that travelers` vehicles are in a good condition, their drivers are healthy and have taken adequate rest, and that they are not overloading passengers or cargo in their vehicles, he stated.
"Overseeing the exodus and anticipating possible road accidents cannot be done based solely on routine preparations. It also needs stern regulations," the legislator said.
He added that the government needs to firmly manage the homebound and the usual traveler traffic, as this year`s road accident rate has remained high, particularly for incidents involving motorcycles.
During this year`s exodus, most accidents were reported on Java`s northern and southern coastal routes, the middle and alternative routes in West, Central and East Java provinces.
On the Java Island alone, up to August 21, around 1,732 road accidents have led to 220 deaths, while the remainder was spread across 28 other provinces.
Some 682 accidents were caused by fatigue and sleepiness, 438 due to bad road conditions, and 374 because the vehicles were not fit to be driven, police said.
Dr Yosafra, a public transportation expert from the University of Andalas (Unand) in Padang in the province of West Sumatra, said around 90 percent of road accidents this year have been caused by drivers' negligence as they tend to be impatient, violate traffic rules and drive in a manner that endangers public safety.
A survey conducted in Padang city has also indicated that 60 percent to 70 percent of motor bikers do not follow traffic regulations and blatantly ignore traffic signs.
The survey also detailed how motorcyclists are generally inclined to drive at high speeds and dangerously maneuver their bikes, thereby endangering their personal safety and that of others.
Dr Yosafra called upon the relevant authorities to launch a campaign related to traffic safety and adopt strict testing measures for those seeking a license to drive.
He also pointed out that during a survey that he conducted among 50 students, only 45 students were in possession of a driving license, out of which only 10 had obtained their licenses through official procedure.
As a result, most driving license holders were unfamiliar with traffic regulations and did not have the proper skills needed to drive safely, he noted.
Compared with other countries, Indonesia`s driving license procedures are rather flawed, as a result of which road accident rates remain high in the country, Dr Yosafra said.
(T.F001/INE/KR-BSR)
Reporter: by Fardah
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
