KNKT Recommends 'Driver Resource Management' After Transjakarta Accidents Rise

JAKARTA - The National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) recommends PT Transport Jakarta (TransJakarta) to create a "Driver Resource Management" to improve the governance of bus drivers.

Head of KNKT Soerjanto Tjahjono explained that the recommendation was issued based on the results of surveillance and discussions with the driver regarding recent bus accidents.

"We give TransJakarta a recommendation called 'Driver Resource Management'. Every year they are given training to challenge soft competence, the ability to hold emotions wisely," said Soerjanto Tjahjono, quoted by Antara, Friday, December 10.

Soerjanto added that similar training has often been applied to air transportation management. However, this has not yet been implemented in TransJakarta.

He said the results of the recommendations would later affect the implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for TransJakarta drivers.

"For example, while driving, you are not allowed to hold a telephone, maybe such a procedure is expected to be repaired in TransJakarta. The SOP is dynamic every second and can change depending on the situation," said Soerjanto.

Soerjanto said, based on the results of discussions with the driver, it was known that sleepiness while driving was one of the risk factors that they often complained about.

"We will study how to reduce the driver's drowsiness. Sleepiness has many factors, one of which is the narrow road corridor. We'll see how the working hours are, what other problems are related to the driver," said Soerjanto.

Soerjanto said that his party welcomed TransJakarta's efforts to see driving safety as a top priority.

"My experience is that as soon as operators open themselves up to investigations, their safety levels improve. This is what we hope to do with surveillance to find risks," said Soerjanto.