Freeing Society From Reckless Drivers
 | ||||||
| Afriyani Susanti |
 |
| Mobil Daihatsu Xenia yang dikendarai oleh Yani |
A
tragic accident happened last month when a car driven by a woman hit 12
pedestrians near the Tugu Tani (Farmers Monument) in Central Jakarta,
killing nine. The police report showed that the driver and other car
passengers were under the influence of drugs.
The
story shows us how driving under the influence of alcohol or other
substances can be so dangerous. Most recently a Lion Air pilot was
busted for possession of crystal methamphetamine, a few weeks after the
arrest of a colleague.
Drugs
are a serious threat to our transportation systems. Can you imagine how
a pilot can fly an airplane if he is under the influence of crystal
meth? If there is turbulence, how can he anticipate it?
So,
anyone who is driving a moving machine should be free from the
influence these substances. Taking these substances not only puts the
driver’s life at risk, but also threatens passengers and pedestrians, as
happened in the Tugu Tani accident.
Driving
under the influence (DUI) or flying under the influence (FUI) are both
illegal. In most countries, anyone found guilty of DUI can receive a
slight sentence but if it causes injuries or death, the driver can be
heavily punished.
There
are some possible explanations as to why alcohol leads to reckless
driving. Like other abusive substance, it induces a disturbance in the
human motor system. Coordination of arms, legs and eyes is controlled by
the cerebellum. Alcohol affects this coordination, so it is clear why a
driver under the influence of alcohol cannot anticipate a turn, a stop,
or a passerby who suddenly appears in front of the driver. A
combination of alcohol and ecstasy or amphetamines will generate worse
effects.
A
driver can feel euphoria even if he or she lacks sleep. The effect on
the driver is that he or she is not aware of their speed and the impact
of alcohol, therefore accidents are more likely to happen.
Laws
governing drink driving vary across the world, with countries setting
different thresholds of blood alcohol content (BAC) levels. The US, for
example, sets BAC at 0.08 percent. DUI sentences can be elevated to a
vehicular homicide if death is caused. In Singapore, BAC is set at 35
micrograms of alcohol for every 100 milliliters of breath. An offender
can be fined between S$1,000 and $5,000 and up to six months in jail.
In
Indonesia, there is no BAC threshold and usually a district court only
hands down a light sentence of up to five years in prison for driving
under the influence. Maybe the government thinks that the majority of
Indonesian people do not drink alcohol, so laws are not a necessity. But
the accident that killed pedestrians and the arrest of pilots should
prompt the government to change its policy when it comes to DUI.
The
government can first and foremost raise public awareness, especially
among the young generation, who are more prone to alcohol, about DUI
through regular campaigns in schools or universities. Promotional
activity can also be held in bars or cafés that sell alcoholic drinks.
The awareness program can also be conducted through the mass media.
As
part of law enforcement measures, the police can conduct regular urine
tests on drivers who are caught speeding. If the drivers test positive
for excessive alcohol or drug content, the police can arrest them and
detain them until they pay fines.
The
police may also freeze their driving licenses or ban them from driving
if necessary. As part of social punishment, the government can make
public the identity of offenders.
Society
itself needs to build a safe driving culture, which can be passed on by
parents to their children. We can contribute to the campaign by
suggesting drivers under the influence stop their cars and move aside
drunken friends at the wheel. Passengers can call the police if a public
transportation driver under the influence refuses to stop driving.
A
stricter law on DUI will deter drivers from violating the regulation
and therefore protect the society from fatal threats. Driving under
influence is indeed a serious threat to our society, so it is our duty
to make the road a safer place for everyone.
My Opinion:
First I thought that it was only ordinary accident. But, after I read some articles on Internet. I got the conclusion that Afriyani is under the control of drugs. How could a girl like her in the afternoon hit 12 people. 9 of them were children. Their parents must be sad and angry at Afriyani. Their bright future had been destroyed by a fat-bodied woman who didn't know sin. If I'm a lawyer I will I will defend the families of the Victims without asking for payment. All of it I do Because That truth and so that justice is done in this country.And my messages for POLRI please be a good police to the community.
My Opinion:
First I thought that it was only ordinary accident. But, after I read some articles on Internet. I got the conclusion that Afriyani is under the control of drugs. How could a girl like her in the afternoon hit 12 people. 9 of them were children. Their parents must be sad and angry at Afriyani. Their bright future had been destroyed by a fat-bodied woman who didn't know sin. If I'm a lawyer I will I will defend the families of the Victims without asking for payment. All of it I do Because That truth and so that justice is done in this country.And my messages for POLRI please be a good police to the community.
