Fatigue Is The Main Factor For Traffic Accident Causes, Beware

Vehicles dominated by travelers pass on the Trans Java Semarang-Solo Km 437 Toll Road in the 2019 Eid homecoming season. (Between/Aji Styawan/pri)

JAKARTA Efforts to minimize traffic accidents must be a concern, both by drivers and by the authorities. The events experienced by the former Deputy Minister of Public Works, Hermanto Dardak and badminton player Syabda Perkasa Belawa must be a reminder of how important it is to ensure that drivers are in prime condition.

The number of accidents on toll roads in 2021, referring to data from the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT), reached 3,988 cases. Experiencing an increase of 2.07 percent compared to the previous year of 3,907 cases.

The main cause, according to Unika's civil engineering study lecturer Soegijapranata, Djoko Setijowarno, is the behavior of the driver. For example driving a vehicle beyond the speed limit, careless when driving, neglecting to check the condition of the vehicle, violating traffic rules, and doing other activities while driving, and fatigue.

"If you look at the data from the Korlantas Polri in 2022, many accidents due to drivers exceed the speed limit, reaching 9,849 cases in 2021. However, when referring to data from the NTSC (National Transportation Safety Committee) estimate that around 80 percent of accidents are caused by fatigue," Djoko said in a statement received by VOI on March 26, 2023.

Whatever it is, Djoko continued, drivers should ensure physical readiness before traveling long distances.

"Get enough rest before leaving. If you are tired of the trip, look for a place to rest instead of taking additional supplements so you can continue to step on the gas," said Djoko, who is also the Deputy Chair of the Indonesian Transportation Community Region Empowerment and Strengthening Division (MTI).

For more than 8 hours of travel, it is recommended that two drivers take turns. One driver can only drive continuously for a maximum of 4 hours. In accordance with Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Transport Traffic (LLAJ).

After 4 hours, the driver must rest. If in a hurry, the trip can be continued with other drivers. If the driver can get enough rest and quality, the risk of traffic accidents that are fatal can be reduced," he said.

The Toyota Innova that Achmad Hermanto Dardak was traveling in after hitting the back of the truck on the Pemalang-Batang KM 341+400 toll road towards Jakarta on August 20, 2022. (Central Java Police Documentation)

In addition to ensuring that the body is in prime condition, the condition of the vehicle must also be ensured to be roadworthy. Wind pressure and tire conditions must be checked, fuel is also recommended to be fully filled before the trip.

"This should be a concern, especially during the current Eid homecoming season," he said.

The Transportation Policy Agency of the Ministry of Transportation predicts 123 million people or around 45.8 percent of Indonesia's population will take advantage of the 2023 Eid holiday. For the destination of Java Island, the Trans Java Toll Road will be the favorite route. There may be more than 9.2 million vehicles passing this route.

The government, said Djoko, needs to anticipate by adding facilities for rest areas, such as toilets, especially the number of toilets for women must be more than the number of toilets for men. The addition of rest areas also needs to be done, including outside toll roads which are located close to to toll gates.

If the area is still full, road users can leave the toll road to find alternative resting places and then enter the toll road again. The cost of entering the toll road will not be more expensive. So, there are no more drivers resting on the shoulder of the road because it has the potential to trigger traffic jams," he said.

For example, the rest area is near the Salatiga Toll Gate. Less than 500 meters have lined up from restaurants to gas stations with a large parking lot of vehicles.

The Rest area of Copenhagen is managed by Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDES) by involving the local community to fill a number of outlets provided. Now it is in the stage of completion of the work and it is hoped that before the 2023 Eid homecoming period it can be used.

In addition, added Djoko, it is also necessary to increase the safety advice for toll road users through banners or Variable Massage System (VMS).

Congestion during homecoming cannot be avoided or eliminated. What needs to be done is to control congestion and then focus on safety," he added.