Farouk Arnaz & Febriamy Hutapea

A traffic law update containing a clause calling for disabled pedestrians to wear special signs has been met with anger from activists. (Photo: Safir Makki, JG)

Law Will Make Disabled Wear Signs in Traffic

Lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously voted to update a 1992 Traffic Law, but ran into immediate controversy over a clause in the new version that requires disabled pedestrians to wear signs to warn others of their condition.

“All [political] factions agreed without any objection,” said Muhaimin Iskandar, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, who led the plenary session.

Transportation Minister Jusman Sjafii Djamal, who was also present, said the new Traffic and Road Transportation Law was needed as the 1992 version was no longer adequate.

“There has been a change in the paradigm that influences the transportation sector,” Jusman said, adding that there was a need for a clearer definition of the responsibilities of those involved in road traffic.

The new law contains 326 articles, but it was the second clause of Article 80 that was met with anger from activists who protested its requirement for disabled pedestrians to wear warning signs.

“Handicapped pedestrians are obliged to wear special signs that can be easily recognized by other road users,” the clause stated. It also said that further details would be determined by a regulation.

“This law is to protect pedestrians, including those who are handicapped,” Malkan Amin of the Golkar Party said. “It is for their own protection.”

But to many activists, the clause smacks of discrimination.

“I am very disappointed. This is an infringement on human rights and will particularly affect the handicapped because they have to wear signs while on the streets,” said Saharuddin Daming, a blind member of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM). “This is marginalizing the handicapped.”

He said the law should aim to make public spaces more accessible for people with disabilities.

Saharuddin cited Bandung, West Java, where local authorities provided special traffic lights near an institute for the visually impaired, allowing its members to change the lights to red to ensure a safe crossing.

“That is what should have been regulated, things like traffic signs signaling the presence of blind people, so that people drive more carefully,” he said.

Darmaningtyas, chairman of the Institute of Transportation Studies, was quoted by Agence France-Presse as saying that the law was preposterous and that the government should focus on providing facilities such as level footpaths and wheelchair ramps.

“It is strange when handicapped people are asked to carry extra burdens,” Darmaningtyas said.

The law will come into effect when signed by the president or after three months have passed.

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