Many Accidents, 24 Illegal Crossings Closed By KAI Daop 9 Jember

KAI officers closed the gate of the illegal crossing in Patrang District, Jember Regency on Saturday (13/8/2022) because it often causes accidents and causes the victim to die when he is hit by a train. (ANTARA/Zumrotun Solichah)

JEMBER - PT Kereta Api Indonesia Operation Area (Daop) 9 Jember closed as many as 24 illegal crossing gates along Bangil Pasuruan Station to Ketapang Station Banyuwangi, East Java. The closure was carried out because of the many accidents that occurred at the crossing.

"From January to August 13, 2022, in the Daop 9 Jember work area, there have been 52 accidents both on road plots (train lines) and level crossings with eight people being lightly injured and 21 dead," said Vice President of KAI Daop 9 Broer Rizal was reported by ANTARA, Saturday, August 13.

In detail, in Pasuruan Regency/City, there were six accidents with six deaths and four minor injuries.

In Probolinggo Regency/City there were 13 incidents with 10 deaths and one minor injury, while in Lumajang Regency there were 11 accidents, but no fatalities.

In Jember Regency there were 11 accidents with four deaths and one minor injury, then in Banyuwangi Regency there were 11 accidents with four deaths and two minor injuries.

"The number of accidents on railway lines and crossings this year has increased compared to last year's 23 incidents from January to December 2021," he said.

There are 322 level crossing points in the Daop 9 Jember area with details as many as 93 points are guarded and 229 points are not guarded spread over several districts, namely Pasuruan Regency 51 points, Probolinggo Regency 63 points, Lumajang Regency 35 points, Jember Regency 103 points and Banyuwangi Regency 70 points.

"Today we closed the level crossing at JPL 155c KM 198+7/8 between Jember - Arjasa Station in Patrang Village, Patrang District because previously there was an accident that caused two people to die," he said.

According to him, the closure of the crossing was the result of coordination between PT KAI Daop 9 Jember, the Department of Transportation, Koramil Patrang, Patrang Police, Head of Patrang Village and RT/RW along with local community leaders on Friday (12/8) at the Patrang Village Office.

"The closure is temporary until there is a guarantee of railway safety and there is an increase in safety so that there are no more accidents," he said.

He said stakeholders must provide guard officers who have competence as crossing guards with proof of certification issued by the authorized agency according to applicable laws/regulations.

"Furthermore, people are advised to take other alternative routes that are on the right or left of the area as long as the crossing is closed," he said.

Broer hopes that the entire community will always be careful and obey the rules, as well as traffic signs when driving, especially when passing through unguarded railroad crossings.

"Stop, look right and left, make sure there are no trains that are and or want to pass the crossing. For 4-wheelers, they must open the vehicle windows so that their vision and hearing are not obstructed, they don't play cell phones while driving," he said.

According to Law no. 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation, he continued, article 114 points b and c stated that at level crossings between railroads and roads, vehicle drivers must prioritize trains and give primary rights to vehicles that cross the rails first.