The study of safety aspects for motorcycle traffic

PRIHATMANTYO, Rianto Rili, Prof. Ir. Sigit Priyanto, M.Sc., Ph.D

2009 | Tesis | S2 Magister Sistem dan Teknik Transportasi

The motorcycle is the most popular vehicle transportation used in Indonesia. As a result, motorcycles are dominating the roadway among bigger vehicles and proving to be the biggest number of accident occurring in the roadway. A motorcyclist is the most vulnerable accident victim on the road. Based on the traffic accident record, there were 4,326 motorcycle accidents occurring in 2007 in Yogyakarta city, increasing almost 300% from the previous year. In addition, there were 18,876 violations which most of which were caused by traffic marking/sign violation and lack of driving requirements. In general, those accidents occurred because of human factors, vehicle factors, road condition, and environment. The objectives of the study are to identify the safety aspects for motorcyclists related to motorcyclists’ behaviour in the traffic and the use of protective gear while riding. Moreover, the road infrastructure and environment factors are also being considered as a basis to develop rules and regulations to support motorcyclists’ and other road users’ safety. In this study, the data were collected through field observation to know how motorcyclists behave in the field and by questionnaire survey to know the motorcyclists’ attitude when they were riding. The field observation was done in three different road characteristics, which are at Janti flyover with a motorcycle lane; at Yogyakarta North Ring Road with a motorcycle way; and at Terban junction with staggered junction and indicated as blackspot locat ion. The survey was conducted using video camera recording at morning peak hours. The result at Janti flyover, the violation done by most motorcyclists was exceeding the motorcycle line. At Yogyakarta North Ring Road, there are four types of dangerous manoeuvrings that refers to traffic law breaking, but in those circumstances, the traffic police allowed them and control them to avoid congestion in that section. At Terban junction the violations most do ne by motorcyclists was exceeding line marking while queuing in the intersection. Based on the questionnaire survey, 80% respondents had driving license and wore standard helmet for safety, but only 60% of them wore other protective gear like gloves, eye protector, and boots. Their response about riding behaviours related to the violation of traffic regulations, such as exceeding motorcycle lane; quickening when traffic light is yellow; exceeding stop line; putting the light indicator when turning; and driving against the vehicle flow, an average of 73.2% respondents said no. It means there were still some motorcyclists who often made violation that could endanger other road users. Therefore, to reduce the number motorcycle accidents, we need good road infrastructures (e.g. traffic signing, marking); better traffic law enforcement; suggesting to always turning on the headlamp day and night; and wear complete protective equipment by motorcyclists.

Kata Kunci : Motorcycle,Safety aspect,Motorcyclists'behaviour,Violation