Incidents of arrogance and violence continue to recur on the streets of big cities, especially in Jakarta. Citizen awareness and law enforcement are absolutely necessary.
By
KOMPAS EDITOR
·3 minutes read
KOMPAS
GR (24), a Fortuner driver who was angry and damaged a Honda Brio car on Jalan Senopati, on Sunday (12/2/2023).
Police arrested David Yulianto (32), a man who was driving a sedan with a fake license plate who acted arrogantly towards another driver on the Inner City Toll Road in the Tomang area of West Jakarta. He was found guilty of assault and using a prohibited weapon. In addition, David was also found to be using fake license plates at the time of the incident (Kompas, 5/5/2023).
This “koboi jalanan” (street cowboy) case is not the first. From Kompas’ data, on 12 Feb. 2023, police also alleged criminal wrongdoing in the case of a Toyota Fortuner driver who became angry and then attacked and damaged a taxi in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta.
In mid-September 2022, a similar case occurred when two cars were found speeding in the right lane of the Jagorawi Toll Road headed to Jakarta. The two drivers’ efforts to overtake one another ended after one of the drivers rolled down a window and pointed a gun at the other driver.
Road users’ awareness of respecting fellow motorists is becoming increasingly weak. This phenomenon is a cause for concern, because there is actually a system on roads that regulates road users’ actions by applying the principle of equality.
POLDA METRO JAYA
The police showed fake vehicle registration plates during a search of a parked vehicle in the lobby of the Raffles Hotel, Setiabudi, South Jakarta, Sunday (10/20/2019).
Road signs apply internationally, and drivers must understand their meaning and follow the signs in a disciplined manner. This goes without exception. A driver's mature knowledge and understanding must be ensured, and one way this is done is through the driving test required for obtaining a driver's license (SIM).
It may be that the driving test as the main requirement for drivers needs to be addressed. Driving tests should also apply the principle of equality before the law. Anyone who does not pass the test is unlikely to obtain a driver's license, unless they retake the test and pass. This procedure is sometimes neglected.
After a person obtains a SIM, they may drive a vehicle on public roads. Of course, this is not merely driving. However, there are consequences for driving in an orderly manner and obeying the rules. All drivers must think about the safety of other road users. Traffic violations causing the disability or death of a person have criminal consequences.
This principle must be reinstated for the sake of orderly traffic on the roads. The principle of equality before the law has been demonstrated in several criminal cases involving the police, even high-ranking officials like Ferdy Sambo and Teddy Minahasa.
If high-ranking police officials can be prosecuted, then what about ordinary citizens who claim to be policemen, use fake license plates, and act arrogantly like David Yulianto? The key is to respect fellow road users.
