This year’s Eid homecoming flow is predicted to start on March 19, 2025, influenced by the Work From Anywhere policy for civil servants and an early school holiday.
According to a survey from the Ministry of Transportation, the movement of people during the Eid holiday is expected to reach 148.48 million people, equivalent to 52 percent of Indonesia’s population.
With such a large volume of movement, potential issues arise, not only in the form of traffic jams but also accidents.
Dr. Dewanti, secretary of UGM’s Center for Transportation and Logistics Studies (Pustral UGM), emphasized the government’s significant role in preventing accidents from becoming more widespread.
From the perspective of accidents, three key areas must be addressed: preventive measures before the accident, responses during the accident, and post-accident mitigation.
Before the journey begins, the government must prepare infrastructure and facilities, including road conditions and transportation options.
“The government should check road conditions, road surface quality, and road signs or markings,” she said.
Additionally, other infrastructures, such as bridges, the roadworthiness of transportation vehicles, and their documentation, need to be inspected.
She added that it is important to focus on transportation facilities, including regulations or advisories for companies providing transport services to ensure their fleets are in good condition.
Public advisories or traffic management information, such as the locations of rest areas on toll roads, are also crucial.
To address accident issues, the government must also prepare a system to respond to accidents, from identifying and evacuating victims to traffic control and communication for road users.
Although the government is currently promoting programs such as joint homecoming to reduce the number of private vehicles on the road, which can minimize accidents, this must be properly communicated to the public.
Cooperation among various stakeholders is required.
“It’s not only the police but also the transportation authorities that need to be involved in handling accidents,” she stated.
Dr. Dewanti highlighted the importance of post-accident management, including evacuating victims immediately to healthcare centers.
“The role of ambulances is crucial,” she stressed.
It is equally important to prepare special lanes for ambulances or create schemes to open roads to transport victims to healthcare facilities.
“Hospitals along the homecoming routes must be prepared, and this information should be disseminated to facilitate evacuation,” she concluded.
Aside from traffic accidents, congestion is another recurring issue every year.
The government often implements traffic engineering, such as One-Way and Contraflow systems on toll roads, to reduce traffic jams during the homecoming season.
However, Dr. Dewanti noted that the application of One-Way traffic should be reviewed, as it diverts traffic from the opposite direction onto non-toll roads, increasing traffic volume there and heightening the risk of congestion.
The use of Contraflow also needs to be reconsidered. It is often implemented at certain times, which can catch drivers unaware of the lane changes, leading to accidents.
Moreover, Contraflow often causes issues when vehicles need to stop or rest. Dr. Dewanti suggested that Contraflow should not be applied over long road sections.
“Once again, while the One-Way and Contraflow systems may be deemed effective in relieving toll road traffic during peak times, they might not be effective from a broader traffic network perspective,” she explained.
Safe Driving Tips
As the Eid homecoming season approaches, various preparations are necessary to ensure the safety and comfort of travelers.
Those planning to use private vehicles must ensure that their vehicles are in good and complete condition.
Additionally, the physical condition of the travelers, especially drivers, is crucial. Weather forecasts also play an important role.
“This can be dangerous not only for vehicles driving in the rain but also for those passing through landslide or flood-prone areas,” she added.
Dr. Dewanti also recommended that those planning to use public transport select services with a good track record. Transport capacity should be considered, as overloading can be dangerous.
Travelers can also make use of available healthcare services for consultations during their journey.
She advised travelers using public transportation to be mindful of their luggage to ensure a more comfortable trip.
Author: Jelita Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photograph by: RRI