JAKARTA (Indonesia Today) – Traffic accidents in nine days of annual exodus to celebrating Idul Fitri this year have killed 512 people so far.
Ministry of Transportation recorded 2,985 traffic accidents in the period of eight days before Idul Fitri and one day after the event. About 818 people are heavily injured, while 2,781 people with light injuries.
Millions of people leave big cities annually to celebrate Idul Fitri, the end of Ramadhan fasting month, with family and relatives in their hometowns, known as mudik.
The accidents and lack of discipline also cost travelers hours of traffic jam. Some Jakarta travelers took 17 hours to arrive in Indramayu, which normally takes only three hours. (haryanto@theindonesiatoday.com)