Travelers Urged to Not Use Motorcycles

Jakarta (Antara) - Jakarta Police Deputy Chief Brig. Gen. Sudjarno asked Idul Fitri holiday travelers to not use motorcycles when they went home towns to celebrate the post-fasting holiday of Lebaran next week. "We call on Lebaran travelers to not drive motorcycles for going home towns (mudik)," he said when inspecting the readiness of Kampung Rambutan Bus Terminal to serve travelers here on Thursday. He said that a number of companies were also organizing free 'mudik' programs for travelers and it was hoped that motorcyclists used the opportunity. On the occasion, the police deputy chief said all drivers of public transportation, particularly buses, are obliged to undertake urine tests in efforts to ensure the safety of passengers during Idul Fitri holiday trips to their home towns. Sudjarno said here on Thursday that bus drivers were called on to not race against each other and were obligated to undergo urine tests. He said that National Narcotics Agency (BNN) was also expected to conduct urine tests on drivers for 24 hours like what would be done by security command posts and other facilities during the post-fasting holiday of Lebaran trips. "Security officers are ready to secure the Idul Ftri exodus. It is expected that urine tests could be done 24 hours. All bus drives must have their urine tested," the Jakarta police deputy chief said. He said that his sides had also assured the readiness of other terminals in Jakarta to serve Idul Fitri travelers such as Pulogadung Terminal and the Pasar Senen station. "We will inspect the readiness of Lebak Bulus bus terminal and Gambir Railway station tomorrow," he added. "During the Idul Fitri exodus last year, there were many accidents befalling two-wheel vehicle drivers, most of traffic accidents were those of motorcyclists," he said. Data showed that during the Idul Fitri exodus last year a total of 908 people were killed in traffic accidents, up 17 percent of those in 2011. The number of traffic accidents was recorded at 7,870 of which 70 percent befell motorcyclists, or 5,223 accidents. In 2012, the number of Idul Fitri travelers stood at 15,012,954. Motorcycles used by travelers in 2012 stood at 2,807,999, up 6.16 percent from those in 2011 which was 2,468,720. (*)