TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama has approved Jakarta Police Traffic Directorate’s policy to legalize street races in Jakarta.
“As long as it is legal, it should be okay. Make no mistake, legal racing can reduce the number of traffic accidents,” Ahok told Tempo at City Hall on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.
Ahok explained that supervising street races would be a solution to traffic accident issues. Ahok said that specific schedules and locations would be arranged for such street race events.
“It would be dangerous if street races are held on public roads. It would be better if street races are legalized,” he added.
Jakarta Police traffic director Sr. Comr. Risyapudin earlier said that his institution would coordinate with other stakeholders, such as Indonesian Motorcycle Association (IMI) and the Jakarta administration, to legalize street races.
“We would like to accommodate teenagers with [legal] street races in order to minimize traffic accidents,” Risyapudin told journalists at his office.
Risyapudin said that there would an organization to serve as a forum for street racers. In addition, an official street race event has been scheduled to be held in mid-February 2016 several street race spots. Risyapudin revealed that the Jakarta Police would redirect the traffic during the event to secure the areas.
“The event will be similar to a car-free night,” he said.
GHOIDA RAHMAH | INGE KLARA SAFITRI