JAKARTA - The Directorate of Traffic of the Polda Metro Jaya Police confirmed that damaged and potholed roads are still one of the main factors causing traffic accidents, in addition to human, vehicle, and weather factors. Road damage is considered potentially triggering a slowdown in traffic, congestion, and fatal accidents.
Dirlantas Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Komarudin said that his party routinely monitors roads that are damaged and have the potential to endanger road users.
"For roads that are damaged and have the potential to cause disruptions, ranging from slowing down, congestion to accidents, it is our routine activity. The results are immediately coordinated with the relevant agencies so that repairs can be carried out immediately," said Komarudin when confirmed, Thursday, January 29, 2026.
In addition to the road conditions, Komarudin said that the extreme weather that has occurred in recent times has also exacerbated the risk of accidents. Heavy rain is said to have caused a number of roads to be damaged.
"The impact of this extreme weather has caused several points of road sections to be damaged. Currently, data collection is still ongoing," he explained.
The Head of the Traffic Police's Traffic Safety Sub-Directorate, AKBP Ojo Ruslani, revealed that throughout January 2026, dozens of traffic accidents had occurred due to the condition of the potholes.
Based on police records, in the period from January 1 to 28, 2026, 27 accidents due to potholes were recorded. Of these, one person died, eight were seriously injured, and 20 others suffered minor injuries.
"These data show that the condition of potholes is still a serious threat to the safety of road users," said Ojo.
Ojo emphasized that road organizers can be subject to criminal sanctions if they are proven negligent, as stipulated in Article 273 of Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Traffic and Road Transport.
In the regulation, road organizers whose negligence causes minor injuries or vehicle damage are threatened with a maximum imprisonment of six months or a fine of up to IDR 12 million.
"If it causes serious injuries, the threat of imprisonment increases to one year in prison or a fine of Rp. 24 million. Meanwhile, if it causes death, the maximum sentence is five years in prison or a fine of up to Rp. 120 million," he said.
Therefore, Ojo instructed the heads of traffic units in the ranks of the Polda Metro Jaya to immediately conduct an inventory and data collection of damaged roads in their respective areas. In addition, he also encouraged the acceleration of road repairs to prevent accidents and loss of life.
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