journey of Alep

THE BIGGEST ACCIDENT IN TUGU TANI

Diposting oleh Alfpinka M.R , Jumat, 17 Februari 2012 07.27

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. .

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.






                                  
 comment : if you want to driving, you should in a good condition, and don't ever try to use drugs, surely you'll be regret because wearing stuff that can hurt you! for the example we can see from this accident, many peoples become victims a driver who use that illicit goods, at firs maybe you'll feel like in heaven, but in the end, you will be regret.