http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/08/10/your-letters-lack-etiquette-streets.html
Buried in my paperwork
routines, my cellphone rang noisily out of the blue. Reluctantly, I
half-heartedly answered, annoyed for distracting me from work. At the end of
the line, my husband's usual calm voice trembled. He asked me to immediately
come to see him at the hospital nearby Depok, saying he got an accident and
broke some bones.
My heart skipped a beat. The
horror of the unruly street of the metropolis city sent me graphic images of fatal
accidents. No matter how cautious we navigate our ways, due to reckless
behavior of motorists in the capital city, who tend to ignore traffic signs, we
have to bear increasing risk to end in fatal accidents by seconds. I cringed
and rushed to hospital.
I breathed in a relief.
Despite suffering from fractured bones in his left lower arm and wrist, my
husband had no other internal injury. His helmet had saved him from suffering
worse. It helped protect his fragile head from the impact of collision with the
concrete road. He had to have two hours surgery to reposition his bones though
that cost us millions! Thank God, we have an excellent scheme of health
insurance.
Regardless of the health
insurance coverage, it drives me mad to experience accident that cost us that
much while it was caused by another motorist's recklessness! The unruly
behaviors of motorists in the capital city is notorious to worsen the already
congested traffic. Not only dodgy drivers put their life at risk on a daily
basis but also the life of pedestrians. The accidents that are caused are
devastating to the victims and their families are leaving to pick up the
pieces.
Dozens of times, my
colleagues and I got nearly grazed by either cars or motorcycles when we cross
the street in front of our office gate. In spite of the red light as signal
they have to stop to let us cross, they blithely ignore the sign. Often, I also
have to jump out of the pedestrian lane because stupid motorists hijacked this
area! A bunch of morons who act like a bunch of wild monkeys in the wood!
It's so infuriating to see
most motorists now tend to drive in the footstep the orange Bajaj drivers and
metromini regardless of the cars they drive. There's a saying that only
God knows which way they would maneuver! Their unpredictable maneuvers and
disrespect of traffic rules and etiquette are so frustrating. Too many
motorists are engaged in a deadly game that not only put their life at jeopardy
but also the innocents' life.
Their poor etiquette is obscenely
displayed in locations with a high risk of traffic accidents including areas
near entrance lanes, U-turns, roundabouts, traffic lights and intersections.
They think nothing but their own self-interest. They think the street is their
private personal domain. They can drive in whatever fashion they want!
Perhaps if those motorists
reflected on the possible impact of their selfish actions, they might decide to
behave responsibly. To put so many lives at risk is unacceptable and must be
tackled.
It has been a public
knowledge that lack of discipline on the part of road users is an acute problem
which drive the city administration and other local authorities across the
country frustrated. Traffic congestion in many parts of big cities is
partly resulted from the public transportation unruly drivers who stop at will
to wait for passengers, blocking other vehicles. Poor driving and a lack of law
enforcement on the roads therefore contribute to the worsening traffic gridlock
in Jakarta. It becomes an endemic.
It is therefore an urgent
call to crack down the unruly behaviors of motorists and how changes in
the law and its enforcement can play a role in combating this menace. Tougher
penalties and consistent law enforcement should be promoted to give a deterrent
effects for such behaviors.
Let us also support the
community movement to get our rights back to have a safe and comfortable
pedestrian lanes. Community group like “Koalisi Pejalan Kaki” is a good start
to mobilize public to seize our street back from irresponsible motorists!
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