Why Are Residents Annoyed By "Tot Tot Wuk Wuk" On The Road? This Is The Reason

Astrobo lights other than in ambulances are often used by motorbikes to cars to penetrate traffic jams. (Pixabay-Diego Fabian Parra Pabon)

JAKARTA - The use of sirens and rotators (strobos) by officials is not in an emergency condition again in the public spotlight. Many residents have complained that these tools are often used to break through traffic jams, not for safety.

Deputy Chairperson of the Central Indonesian Transportation Community (MTI) Empowerment and Development Area, Djoko Setijowarno, views that even though the actual function of sirens and strobos is an emergency warning, the reality is often misappropriated.

The use of thestrobe with the distinctive "tot tot wuk wuk" sound is now a symbol of the privilege of officials which actually exacerbates inequality and damages public trust.

"The improper use and privilege. The most basic reason is abuse. This inappropriate use creates an unfair feeling and triggers anger," Djoko told reporters, Sunday, September 21.

Then, Djoko said, the sound of a loud siren can be very disturbing, especially in a densely populated environment or in the middle of the night. According to him, this disturbance not only disturbs comfort, but can also cause stress, and even trigger anxiety.

Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation has indeed regulated the main rights for several types of vehicles, such as fire engines, ambulances, accident relief vehicles, state officials, and others.

Regulations state that vehicles with main rights must indeed be escorted by the police, using red or blue signal lights and sirens. But in reality, many vehicles use lights or sirens without police escort, and without adequate emergency situations.

"Although there are already rules governing who are entitled to use sirens and strobes, law enforcement is often considered weak. This indecisiveness makes many people dare to use it without permission, exacerminating the problem of abuse," said Djoko.

The most obvious abuse is when officials use sirens or strobos for shortcuts in the middle of traffic jams, even though the situation is not urgent.

When sirens and strobes are used carelessly, public confidence in the emergency system can decrease. According to Djoko, when he heard the siren, the public was no longer sure whether it was really an emergency situation or just a vehicle looking for a shortcut.

"As a result, when there is a real emergency situation, the response of the community to give way may not be as fast or what they should be," he said.

Previously, the 'Stop Tot Wuk Wuk' movement emerged from the unrest of the road users towards the behavior of some public officials who were considered excessive in using strobe lights on public roads.

The social media scene was then fulfilled by an invitation so that road users would not give priority to official registered vehicles, but only to ambulances and fire engines.