Jakarta Transportation Department recorded that about 3,000 riders died in the past five years because of accidents. This amount is worse than death caused by infectious diseases. Based on this fact, Jakarta Provincial Government issues policy that prohibits motorcycle crossing on protocol roads.

Public must realize that motorcycle is very dangerous and has high potential in accident that could cause death or maims

Head of Jakarta Transportation Department, Muhammad Akbar, admitted that the policy which prohibits motorcycle crossing at Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout until Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat is getting rejections from some parties. But, the policy is assessed important because the number of accident caused by motorcycle is the highest.

“Public must realize that motorcycle is very dangerous and has high potential in accident that could cause death or maims. And in these five years, at least 3,000 people in Jakarta had died because of traffic accidents that involved motorcycles. That (number) passes death caused by infectious disease,” he stated, Saturday (11/15).

Before the policy is officially implemented, Jakarta Provincial Government will first conduct trial on upcoming December in which motorcycle is prohibited to pass on Jalan MH Thamrin until Jalan Medan Merdeka Barat. Afterwards, the same policy will be applied on other protocol roads. Thus, the citizens are expected would shift to use public transportation.

“In making policies, we see many aspects, such as fairness, cost, and flexibility. But now, the important thing is safety aspect,” asserted Akbar.