JAKARTA The use of motorcycles is still a favorite of the public at this year's Eid homecoming moment. The results of the survey by the Transportation Policy Agency of the Ministry of Transportation estimate that the number reaches 25.13 million motorcycles.
From an economical point of view, said Djoko Setijowarno, the teacher of civil engineering, Unika Soegijapranata, is indeed much more efficient than having to rent a car or ride a public vehicle. Travelers are also more flexible in terms of time and do not need to queue for tickets.
Another factor is that travelers can also use their motorbikes around their hometowns. There is no need to borrow from relatives.
"That's what can't be obtained if you use public transportation modes, especially if you don't have a vehicle in your hometown," Djoko said in a statement received by VOI on April 3, 2023.
However, the risk is also much greater. Motorcycles are not designed for long-distance travel. When referring to police data, accidents involving motorcycles always dominate.
In the 2018 Eid season, for example, of the 3,285 vehicles involved in the accident, 2,310 of them were motorcycles. The following year it did go down, but this is because the number of travelers using motorbikes has also decreased.
Let alone during the Lebaran season, on normal days the number of traffic accidents involving motorbikes is also quite high. The National Police Corps revealed that the number of motorized vehicle accidents involving motorbikes had reached 120,284 cases during January-September 2022, with 85,691 cases of which were the cause of the accident.
"Therefore, it is better to avoid going home using a motorbike, especially if it carries excessive loads," said Djoko.
The rules are very strict. If you want to use a motorcycle, you can't ride more than one person in accordance with Article 61 of Government Regulation Number 55 of 2012 concerning Vehicles.
The loading width must also not exceed the handlebar, the load height does not exceed 900 millimeters above the driver's seat, and the cargo is placed behind the driver in accordance with Article 10 paragraph 4 of Government Regulation Number 74 of 2014 concerning Road Transportation.
This means that if you have brought the cargo, motorcycle riders can no longer ride. Riding a motorcycle and not paying attention to the safety factors of yourself and others can be punished with Article 311 paragraph (1) of Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Road Traffic and Transportation with a maximum prison sentence of 1 year and a fine of IDR 3 million.
Not to mention the physical conditions and discipline of motorists. Going home using a motorbike is very dangerous and there are too many risks. Especially if you ride a ride and bring your child too. It's better to think carefully because the impact is not only for yourself, but also for family and others," Djoko emphasized.
The government has so far been trying to reduce the number of motorcycle accidents, such as increasing the capacity of public transportation to improve road infrastructure, as well as launching free homecoming programs since 2014. Unfortunately the results are not significant.
That is why, Djoko again proposed limiting the production of high-speed motorcycles, namely motorcycles with cylinder capacities above 100 cc.
Back to the way it was before 2005. At that time, motorcycle production was only around 2-3 million units per year with engine capacities of less than 100 cc. This has been proven to be rare for traffic accidents due to motorbikes. Traffic conditions are not as chaotic as they are now and there are rarely travelers using motorbikes.
However, after the credit policy emerged, without or with an advance around 2005 the number of productions increased sharply. The production target of 7-8 million units per year has been achieved until now. Along with that, the capacity of motorcycle engines has also been increased, the negative effect is very visible," said Djoko, who also serves as Deputy Chair of the Central Indonesian Transportation Community (MTI) Empowerment and Strengthening Division.
Illegal racing appears in every region, the number of traffic accidents involving motorbikes always dominates, victims of productive age accidents are the highest, and currently motorcycles are the favorite vehicles for homecoming.
The number of travelers using motorbikes in 2005 increased by more than 50 percent from the previous year.
"For safety's sake, the proposal needs to be considered. Now it can start with a low-speed electric vehicle," added Djoko.
Previously, the Ministry of Transportation had also appealed to travelers not to use motorbikes. This is because the traffic conditions during the Eid homecoming season this year after the revocation of the implementation of community activities are expected to be more congested.
"Considering riding a motorbike, it is better to participate in the free homecoming program. It is safer and more efficient. Apart from passengers, we will also transport the motorbike for free," said Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi in his official statement on March 16.
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