As the Eid al-Fitr holiday approaches, traffic begins to swell with people returning to their hometowns. The peak traffic is expected to occur on Apr. 6-7, 2024. Private vehicle travelers are advised to remain vigilant and cautious while driving to minimize traffic accidents.
Dr. Dewanti, a researcher at the UGM Center for Transportation and Logistics Studies, stated that travelers must increase their awareness while driving, especially during the Eid al-Fitr holiday in 2024.
She mentioned several factors contributing to accidents, including high-speed driving, driving under the influence, not using safety devices, smartphone distractions, poor road infrastructure, unsafe vehicles, poor post-accident handling, and lack of traffic law enforcement.
Referring to data in Indonesia, she said that 73% of accidents involve two-wheeled vehicles, and over 80,000 victims are students.
“This figure is very concerning, especially since many traffic accidents occur due to negligence that can be prevented,” Dr. Dewanti said during a webinar titled “Unveiling the Results of Traffic Accident Investigations” on Thursday (Apr. 4).
Efforts to improve traffic safety can be achieved through various means, not only regarding vehicle readiness but also by increasing public awareness.
“Driving safety needs to be raised. It’s not just for students, adults, or drivers, but for everyone. Improving public safety awareness is a very positive effort,” said Dr. Dewanti.
Dr. Dewanti cited global data from the World Health Organization (WHO), which revealed a 5% decrease in traffic accident trends from 2010 to 2021. However, vigilance should not be lowered.
Around 92% of traffic accidents occur in lower-middle-income countries, with 28% of cases occurring in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia.
“Every 20 seconds, one person dies on the road. If we look at how deadly traffic accidents are, in terms of all ages, traffic accidents rank 12th. But when looked at from ages 5-29, a very young age group, traffic accidents are the leading cause,” she explained.
Ahmad Wildan, chair of the Traffic and Road Transport Subcommittee (LLAJ), National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT), explained that Indonesia has safety programs to reduce the risk of traffic accidents.
Investigating accidents is an essential aspect of developing safety programs. Accident investigations must include four elements: accident chronology, how victims were fatally injured, contributing factors, and mitigation.
“An accident resulting in fatalities can be analyzed in two ways: whether victims died due to the accident or due to post-accident care,” Wildan said.
Wildan added that driver readiness, vehicle conditions, and even the route taken can be significant factors in accidents.
“For example, many accidents are due to brake failure, and many occur on downhill roads. The question is, what’s with downhill roads? Downhill roads rotate wheels, not engines, due to gravitational force, drivers will repeatedly brake, causing brake failure,” Wildan explained.
“This material is not included in B1 and B2 SIM training, so it’s no wonder our drivers don’t understand. This is where we start mitigation.”
This webinar discussion concluded that traffic density during every national holiday peak becomes a vulnerable moment for traffic accidents. Poor road conditions, non-standard vehicle conditions, and driver fatigue all contribute to accident risks.
Therefore, the public is advised to prepare their journey carefully during the homecoming trip and take short breaks if driving for long periods. Increased vigilance and safety awareness are expected to reduce accident risks anytime and anywhere.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson