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Jakarta Police Say They Could Fine Cellphone Use Behind Wheel
Arientha Primanita | December 18, 2009

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jetset24
10:42am Dec 21, 2009

Come to California, one can witness the largest cell phone abusers while driving....The law does not seem to work after several reinforcement attempts have failed. Recently in the news, the wife of the governor of California was caught red handed using a cell phone while driving. And let alone the different style of driving by many added with a technology distraction while driving on the road seem to be more dangerous...If you think Indonesia has no chances in reinforcing the law, think again !!! Some other countries are also in the same boat.


Leslie_Williams
11:13am Dec 19, 2009

And not before time either!

If the legislation is there, then surely the police have an obligation to fine offenders. Having seen the effects of strong policing of a "no handphone when driving" rule in Australia, Jakarta's roads will be safer if motorists are forced to adhere to this rule here.

I am astounded at the number of drivers attempting to negotiate Jakarta's traffic - driving with one hand while the other holds the phone to the driver's ear - not to mention the proliferation of motor cyclists, sometimes with wife and two children riding with them, who not just speak on their mobiles, but send SMS as well - inevitably whilst disregarding the "keep left" and "lights-on" rules and weaving around cars, trucks and buses in the right-hand lanes.

Simon P
8:57am Dec 19, 2009

This is a problem in all countries. In my home of the UK a girl was arrested for crashing into another girl while texting and killing her. It later turned out that the dead girl had also been texting during her drive. I rather think Indonesia, though, has less chance of enforcing such a law...as it does with all laws...it'll just become another avaricious glint in the cops' eyes.

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The Jakarta Police are warning motorists in the capital against using cellphones while driving, saying a newly endorsed law gives the police authority to fine offenders Rp 750,000 ($79) or a three-month jail term.

Chief Comr. Condro Kirono, the police’s traffic division director, said the 2009 Law on Traffic and Road Transport, which is expected to go into effect next year, did not specifically address the issue of drivers using a cellular phone, but stressed that the law obliged drivers to concentrate while behind the wheel.

“It means that they can not use cellphones or drink alcohol while driving and must focus on the road,” Condro was quoted as saying by news portal Vivanews.com.

Police and related authorities around the nation are still sending out information about the new traffic and transportation law.

“This will have a big impact on drivers’ safety because using phones while driving can lead to accidents,” Condro said, adding that motorists could use a hands-free device to make a call.

Danang Parikesit, secretary general of the Indonesian Transportation Society (MTI), told the Jakarta Globe on Friday that banning drivers from talking on the phone while driving was a positive step.

Danang added, however, that the legal basis of the ban wasn’t clear. The traffic and transportation law, according to Danang, makes no mention of either the fine or detention. “Therefore, this positive initiative can’t be implemented just yet,” he said.

A 2006 study from the University of Utah showed that drivers who used handheld or even hands-free cellular phones were as impaired as intoxicated drivers.