... traffic accidents and fatalities during this year`s Idul Fitri exodus is lower than that in the same period in 2012."Pontianak, West Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - Fifteen fatalities due to traffic accidents were recorded in West Kalimantan during the Idul Fitri exodus, a policeman said here on Monday.
"In general, the number of traffic accidents and fatalities during this year`s Idul Fitri exodus is lower than that in the same period in 2012," stated Senior Adjunct Commissioner Mukson Munandar, a spokesman of the West Kalimantan Police.
During Operation "Ketupat" 2013, 34 traffic accidents were recorded, indicating a decrease of 48 percent from the 34 accidents that occurred during Operation Ketupat 2012, he remarked.
The number of fatalities recorded during the Idul Fitri festivities in 2012 was 27, and this year, it has dropped to 15 people.
Most of the victims were motorcyclists, and many of the accidents were caused by drivers suffering from fatigue, he said.
The West Kalimantan Police station has deployed 2,737 police officers to manage traffic in the area during Operation Ketupat, from August 2 to 18, 2013.
Meanwhile, the number of traffic accidents across Indonesia has decreased compared with the same time last year, despite the exodus of home-bound travelers for this year`s Idul Fitri festivities.
Some 15 million Indonesians headed for their hometowns by land, air, and sea to celebrate Idul Fitri (Eid Fitr) on August 8 with their extended families.
To assist with managing traffic during the exodus, Indonesian Police launched Operation Ketupat on August 2, seven days ahead of Idul Fitri (D-7), and will run it until August 16, 2013 (D+7).
As part of Operation Ketupat, the central government has deployed a joint task force of 88 thousand police officers and 62 thousand military personnel.
In support of the initiative, each provincial police station has provided two-thirds of its personnel.
The Indonesian National Police Headquarters recorded a total of 471 fatalities in 2,095 traffic accidents across the country until August 10, or D+2, after the Idul Fitri festivities.
(Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
