There Are Three Train Accidents At Crossings In A Day, KAI Asks People To Be Disciplined

Illustration of KAI (Photo: Doc. KAI)

JAKARTA - There were three traffic accidents in one day involving trains at a level crossing on January 14, 2024. PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) also asked the public to increase traffic vigilance and discipline.

The three accidents referred to between the car and the South Night New Style Train in Kab. Klaten, the car with the Wijayakusuma train in Banyuwangi Regency, and the car with the Datuk Blambangan train in Tebing Tinggi City. A total of 3 people died in these incidents.

"KAI urges the public to be careful when crossing a highway crossing by train. Make sure the routes to be traversed are safe, look right and left, and obey the existing signs," said KAI President Director Didiek Hartantyo in an official statement, Monday, January 15.

Didiek emphasized that the train has its own path and cannot stop suddenly. So road users must prioritize train travel.

Furthermore, Didiek said this was in accordance with Law 23 of 2007 concerning Railways Article 124 and Law 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation Article 114.

"All road users must prioritize train travel when passing a level crossing," he said.

In addition, said Didiek, KAI also always emphasizes that road owners according to their class, both the Central Government and the Regional Government, evaluate safety for the existence of level crossings in their area.

In accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Transportation Number 94 of 2018, he said, the authority for the handling and management of a level crossing between the railway and road routes is carried out by the owner of the road.

Management for level crossings located on national roads is carried out by the Minister, Governor for level crossings located on provincial roads, and Regent/Mayor for level crossings located on district/city and village roads.

"The owner of the road is a party that must manage level crossings such as completing safety equipment or closing a level crossing that is considered dangerous for safety," he said.

KAI appealed to the Regional Government, Ministry of Transportation, and PUPR to be more concerned and pay more attention to the feasibility of safety at level crossings by completing safety equipment for road users such as signs, lighting, doorstops, and level crossing guards.

To improve the safety of train travel, said Didiek, KAI together with relevant stakeholders plan to close the crossing so that similar incidents will not happen again.

"KAI fully supports the entire crossing closure program as an effort to ensure safety and security together," he explained.