Padang-The Directorate General of Railways (DJKA) of the Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) of the Republic of Indonesia through the Railway Engineering Center (BTP) Class II Padang fully supports the Socialization and Trial Implementation of the Policy for Determining Railway Services on the Provincial Authority Railway Network on Monday, 20 March 2023 launched by the West Sumatra Transportation Authority.

Head of BTP Padang Supandi, who was a speaker in the activity carried out at the Koto Tangah Sub-District Office, stressed the importance of this form of socialization so that the surrounding community could comply with traffic signs for mutual safety and no accidents caused by negligence.

"The number of accidents at railroad crossings in West Sumatra is quite high. With this socialization, it is expected to reduce the number of accidents at the level crossing," said Supandi, Monday 20 March 2023.

As is known, level crossings are intersections between railroad tracks and roads. In 2020, the number of accidents at level crossings is 20 accidents, in 2021 as many as 26 accidents, and 2022 as many as 23 accidents. "For this year, it is hoped that accidents can decrease, even zero accidents," Supandi continued.

 "We should avoid several behaviors that will endanger the safety of ourselves and others at railway crossings, for example, do not play mobile phones while driving, obey traffic signs anywhere and anytime, including at crossings, and also stay away from crossings by not gathering at sterile areas," he continued.

In addition, people also need to be careful when crossing level crossings by not listening to music so as not to hear the siren of the presence of trains, if sleepy, it is expected to stop for a moment, do not carry too much weight; and when passing, look left and right.

On the same occasion, Head of the West Sumatra Transportation Agency Dedy Diantolani said that safety at level crossings is a shared responsibility. "All are responsible for maintaining safety at level crossings, including the surrounding community," he said.

In addition, PT Jasa Raharja as an extension of the public passenger accident guarantee and road traffic accident program, provides basic protection insurance for public transportation and road traffic accidents. Included in the Jasa Raharja guarantee are accidents between official motorized vehicles or being hit by official motorized vehicles. Then, a single accident of an official public passenger transportation vehicle.

While those outside the guarantee are material losses to vehicles due to the occurrence of accidents and single accidents of out-of-control private vehicles caused by the influence of illegal drugs and due to geological or meteorological factors.

 The activity was also attended by representatives of Divre (Regional Division) II West Sumatra PT KAI (Persero), representatives of PT Jasa Raharja, representatives of Koto Tangah District and the surrounding community, with the aim of reducing the number of accidents that often occur at level crossings, especially at level crossings in Koto Tangah District and surrounding areas.

 BTP Padang Public Relations, (SPN/DCP)