As A Result Of The Death Accident Of GT Ciawi, The Government Needs To Issue Zero ODOL Regulations

Illustration (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Transportation Observer who is also the Executive Director of the Institute for Transportation Studies (Instran) Deddy Herlambang emphasized that the government needs to issue regulations related to Zero ODOL to overcome road transportation safety.

The Zero ODOL is a strategic program of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) which aims to stop the practice of transporting goods exceeding the capacity and dimensions of vehicles.

He considered that accidents involving trucks had often occurred on toll roads. Moreover, there was a fatal accident involving a truck carrying gallons of mineral water at the Ciawi 2 Toll Gate (GT), West Java, on Tuesday night, February 4.

"Actually, the problem is not only technical problems, yes, but also problems in the regulations. We always fuss about the brakes technically, it doesn't really matter. The problem is upstream," said Deddy when contacted by VOI, Wednesday, February 5.

"There are also many involved between ministries, yes, such as the Ministry of Transportation, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Trade. So, all must also sit together again to think about (the solutions) of this problem," he continued.

According to Deddy, the problem of ODOL vehicles is not only the domain of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub), but also the responsibility of other ministries.

"This problem is not only in the Ministry of Transportation, nor in the police. However, the one who provides the cargo is at the Ministry of Industry and Trade. How are the regulations," said Deddy.

"Because of their reasons, if the name (vehicle) of ODOL is prohibited, inflation will occur and all kinds of things. We also don't understand, yes, where the analysis is," he continued.

Deddy assessed that a number of these ministries must hold a joint meeting to agree on a Joint Decree (SKB) related to controlling ODOL vehicles.

Given, he said, the number of traffic accidents involving ODOL vehicles continues to increase every year. Based on data held by the police, Deddy said, nearly 15 percent of traffic accidents were caused by ODOL vehicles.

"So, if the percentage is from all accidents, the ODOL vehicle (contributes) 12-15 percent (due to brake failure). So, regulations such as SKB Zero ODOL must exist and it is agreed that a number of ministries are agreed upon," he concluded.

Previously, a series of accidents occurred at the Ciawi 2 Toll Gate (GT), precisely on KM 41+400 of the Jagorawi Toll Road towards Jakarta, Tuesday night, February 4.

Shortly after the incident, officers from the Representative Office 1 Jasamarga Metropolitan Tollroad (JMT) as the manager of the Jagorawi Toll Road with Jasamarga Tollroad Operator (JMTO) and the police arrived at the location to provide security and immediately make traffic arrangements.

Senior Manager Representative Office 1 Jasamarga Metropolitan Tollroad Regional Division Alvin Andituakat Singarimbun said the traffic to GT Ciawi 2 had been diverted out through GT Bogor during security and evacuation at the scene.

"Since 02.00 WIB, two substations have been opened to be crossed and at 05.15 until now one automatic Toll Substation (GTO) and two Multi Toll Substations have been opened. Officers have also activated mobile reader to increase transaction capacity at GT Ciawi 2," said Alvin in his written statement, Wednesday, February 5.

Based on information from officers in the field, it is suspected that a truck carrying gallons of mineral water had braking problems, so the driver could not control the speed of his vehicle at GT Ciawi 2 and crashed into five vehicles in front of him.

In this series of accidents, six vehicles were involved.

As a result of this incident, three substations at GT Ciawi 2 were damaged, one truck and five MPV vehicles were heavily damaged.

Eight people were declared dead, four people were seriously injured and seven people suffered minor injuries.

Including, among the victims were Jasa Marga Customer Service officers who were on duty in the field.

"All victims have been evacuated to Ciawi Hospital for further treatment," said Alvin.