In late October, three consecutive land transportation incidents involving a train, an LRT, and a bus drew national attention to the urgent need to strengthen safety and security measures in Indonesia’s transport systems.
Dr. Dewanti, a transportation expert from Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), emphasized that safety must serve as a primary indicator in every national transportation policy, not merely as a secondary consideration behind budget efficiency.
She stated that the series of fatal accidents could have been prevented through active participation and responsibility from all parties involved in traffic safety.
“With the unpredictable weather conditions lately, every stakeholder must remain vigilant and proactive in implementing preventive measures,” Dr. Dewanti said on Tuesday (Nov. 4).
Commenting on the government’s efficiency-oriented budgeting, Dr. Dewanti acknowledged that while budget constraints may influence safety standards, they are not the sole cause of accidents.
She explained that transportation safety is shaped by multiple factors, including human behavior, vehicle condition, infrastructure quality, and environmental conditions.
“A thorough accident audit is necessary to identify the root causes and ensure that the resulting policies are well-targeted,” said the researcher from the Center for Transportation and Logistics Studies (Pustral UGM).
Dr. Dewanti further noted that the greatest challenge for the government and transportation operators lies in consistently enforcing safety standards and regulations, as well as maintaining effective cross-sector coordination.
“Coordination among agencies is often suboptimal, even though such synergy determines the overall success of the national safety system,” she explained.
As a solution, Dr. Dewanti suggested that the government focus on high-risk modes of transportation while leveraging affordable Internet of Things (IoT)-based technologies to enhance monitoring systems.
“Public involvement in monitoring and accident prevention is equally important. The government can collaborate with the private sector through partnership schemes to support safety funding,” the expert added.
In closing, Dr. Dewanti expressed hope that the government would prioritize transportation safety in every policy, accompanied by strict law enforcement against serious violations such as overloading and falsified vehicle inspections.
She also underscored the importance of regulatory consistency between central and regional governments to avoid overlapping policies.
“The public also plays a crucial role. Traffic discipline and risk awareness must be continuously cultivated. Citizens can serve as social watchdogs by reporting violations or hazardous road conditions through various digital platforms,” she concluded.
Author: Kezia Dwina Nathania
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Illustration: Pajakku